Role of wood flour on processability of marine biodegradable poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH)/poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA) blends in cast extrusion and thermoforming of take-away food containers

Plastic trays are among the most frequently occurring litter in the marine environment. The use of marine biodegradable materials to produce these items can be an effective solution to this phenomenon. Blends of Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH) and Poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA) were produced via twin screw extrusion, sheets were then produced via cast extrusion and thermoformed into trays. The role of wood flour to improve the processability of PHBH/PBSA blends was assessed. Wood flour facilitates the pellet cutting process and reduces the cycle time of the thermoforming process. The functional properties of the thermoformed trays at 100 & DEG;C were improved by the introduction of wood flour. Marine disintegration slightly decreased, going from 18.4% to 13.6% at 42 weeks, the melt flow index slightly decreased whereas the crystallinity of the blend increased.