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.
»	Publication: Nomadolo, N., Mtibe, A., Ofosu, O., Mekoa, C., Letwaba, J., and Muniyasamy, S. (2024). The effect of mechanical recycling on the thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties of Poly (Butylene Adipate‑Co‑Terephthalate) (PBAT), Poly (Butylene Succinate) (PBS), Poly (Lactic Acid) (PLA), PBAT‑PBS Blend and PBAT‑TPS Biocomposite.
»	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.