A recent study published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering has demonstrated the potential of cellulose diacetate (CDA)-based foams made with Eastman Aventa™ compostable materials as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics. The research, led by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), highlights the rapid biodegradability of these materials in marine environments, positioning them as a sustainable option for food packaging and other applications.
The study found that CDA-based foams lost up to 70% of their mass after 36 weeks of seawater incubation, outperforming materials like polystyrene, which showed no degradation. The biodegradation rate of CDA foams was found to be more than four times faster than paper and up to 1,000 times greater than solid plastics like polypropylene, polystyrene, and polylactic acid (PLA).
Collin Ward, WHOI associate scientist and lead researcher, stated, “Foaming biodegradable bioplastics like Aventa offer a promising strategy to reduce the environmental impact of frequently mismanaged consumer plastics, particularly in food packaging applications. These materials not only degrade rapidly in the ocean but also support circularity and material efficiency.”
The research also evaluated the economic and environmental benefits of replacing polystyrene food trays with CDA-based foams. Calculations suggest that such a shift could save over $1 billion annually by mitigating the social costs associated with plastic pollution.
Jeff Carbeck, vice president of Eastman Corporate Innovation, emphasized the significance of this innovation: “Traditional plastic foams often contribute to marine pollution. Eastman Aventa materials offer a sustainable alternative that aligns with circular economy principles.”
Aventa materials are derived from sustainable wood pulp, making them renewable and compostable. In addition to food packaging, these materials are being explored for single-use products like straws and cutlery, offering solutions to the growing plastic waste crisis.
The full study is available in the October 2024 issue of ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. For more details, visit the journal’s website or Eastman’s Aventa page at www.eastman.com/aventa.
