Grant project deliverable

End-of-life options of biobased plastic materials and its biocomposites in landfill, compost and marine water conditions

Grant holder: Dr Sudhakar Muniyasamy

Institution: CSIR

Grant: CSIR/BEI/WRIU/2019/029

Duration: 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022

Status: Current

Project outline: The aim of this research is to investigate the end-of-life options of bioplastics, their blends and thermoplastic biocomposites, with special focus on mechanical and biological recycling (biodegradation) of bio-based polymers, their blends and biocomposites in landfill, compost and marine water conditions.

»	Briefing note: Muniyasamy, S. (2023). End-of-life options of biobased plastic material and its composites. CSIR: Pretoria.
»	Dissertation: Nomadolo, NE. (2023). Mechanical recyclability and biodegradation of biobased biodegradable polymers, blends, and biocomposite. Master’s Thesis. Nelson Mandela University.
»	Publication: Mtibe, A., Muniyasamy, S., Mokhena, TC., Ofosu, O., Ojijo, V. and John, M. (2023). Recent insight into the biomedical applications of polybutylene succinate and polybutylene succinate-based materials. Express Polym. Lett., 17(1): 2-28.
»	Publication: Nomadolo, N., Dada, OE., Swanepoel, A., Mokhena, T. and Muniyasamy, S. (2022). A Comparative Study on the Aerobic Biodegradation of the Biopolymer Blends of Poly(butylene succinate), Poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) and Poly(lactic acid). Polymers, 14(9): 1-14
»	Publication: Muniyasamy, S. and Dada, O.E. (2021). Recycling of plastics and composites materials and degradation technologies for bioplastics and biocomposites. In: Nayak, R. and Patnaik, A. (eds). The Textile Institute Book Series, Waste Management in the Fashion and Textile Industries, Woodhead Publishing, 311-333.
»	Publication: Muniyasamy, S. and Patnaik, A. (2021). Biodegradable Behavior of Waste Wool and Their Recycled Polyester Preforms in Aqueous and Soil Conditions. JRM, 9(10): 1-11.
»	Publication: Bhagwat, G., Gray, K., Wilson, SP., Muniyasamy, S. et al. (2020). Benchmarking Bioplastics: A Natural Step Towards a Sustainable Future. J. Polym Environ.
»	Presentation: Muniyasamy, S. (2020). Bioplastics from renewable resources: An eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastic. International webinar on Applied Biosciences, 8 August 2020.