The study of compostable and biodegradable plastics seems to be very recent, however, cellophane has been commercialized since 1912. It is a biobased bioplastic that gradually decomposes when exposed to the weather or buried in the ground. The time it takes to biodegrade varies depending on environmental conditions. However, its decomposition is rapid and can be converted into compost.

The invention of cellophane came about when Jacques E. Brandenberger was in a restaurant, where a customer had spilled wine. When the waiter replaced the tablecloth, Jaques had the idea of developing a material that would repel liquid rather than absorb it.

Cellophane is a biodegradable, chemically inert polymer that comes from regenerated cellulose made from wood pulp. Cellophane can be made from crops such as hemp, which are able to grow on land that is not used for food production.

It is a strong, flexible and transparent material. It also has low thermal conductivity, excellent dielectric properties, does not shrink or melt with heat and is hygroscopic. In addition, it is non-toxic, non-flammable and is resistant to oils, fats, acids, bases and organic solvents.

It can be extrusion-laminated to plastic films and laminated with adhesive to materials such as paper, foil and glass. Currently, it is used to wrap gifts, flowers, food, making adhesive tapes, semipermeable membranes, coatings, and others. Despite their wide use in everyday life, we are surprised to learn that biodegradable plastics are already available and that they have been part of our lives. This is an example of how bioplastics have been used for years, without causing any harm to the environment.

By: Andrea Zambrano

Photo: @nazlimozaffari/unsplash.com

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