Advansa has announced ADVAterra polyester fibers with enhanced biodegradability.
The ADVAterra fibers originating from 100% post-consumer PET bottles are engineered via proprietary modifications to provide biodegradation capabilities without sacrificing the favorable mechanical properties of PET. Products made from ADVAterra have the same properties as conventional non-biodegradable standard fibers and can be processed just as quickly, minimizing environmental consequences without sacrificing quality and performance.
Plastic pollution is a global problem of increasing concern.
More than 380 million tons of plastic are produced each year and generated plastic waste of the same order. With improper waste management, a significant fraction is entering our natural ecosystem and oceans. This is causing environmental, animal, and human health concerns, as typical plastic materials, are estimated to break down within 500 years – if at all.
Without fundamental changes to the ongoing consumption and waste management of plastics, by 2050, there may be more plastic than fish in the oceans. Here, biodegradable plastics could be part of the solution to plastic pollution.
According to the company’s laboratory studies based on the STM D5511 test scheme, ADVAterra is expected to biodegrade to between 30-60% within 12 months – a degradation rate comparable to some natural fiber materials that take from some months to few years. Degradation rates, however, strongly depend on individual factors such as temperature, moisture, surface area, exposure of the final article in the soil, and types of microorganisms.
