GLOBAL TRENDS IN BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS

Recently, the rapid and almost uncontrollable growth in the consumption of synthetic plastics in many sectors of the economy, especially in the field of packaging, has been a serious concern. Plastic containers are used for packaging food products, medicines, electronic devices, liquids, including those with a higher hazard class, etc. [1]. According to the German Nova-Institute, the global plastic production in 2020 has reached almost 400 Mill. Tons. At the same time, the volume of biodegradable plastics obtained from renewable resources amounted to only 3.5 million tons, i.e., about 1% of the total volume production [2]. Considering that only 25% of plastic waste is recycled, the growing consumption of polymer products is forcing manufacturers to develop biodegradable polymer compositions [3]. The problem has economic and environmental aspects since it is interconnected with the growing need to protect the environment and reduce the cost of raw materials for the production of various products.