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Plastics and Sustainability: Introduction to Plastics, Elastomers and Additives from Renewable Resources

Registration

Course Number: 00.754-011

Tuition: $695

Format: In-Person Only

  • June 7
    00.754-011
    Dr. Ramaswamy Nagarajan
    8:30am-5:00pm
    • Registration for this seminar has closed.

For more information about registering, click here.

Overview

This course provides a detailed overview of current definitions and standards for bioderived, biodegradable plastics and elastomers; design criteria for sustainable plastics based on a brief overview of life cycle analysis in the context of plastics; and an introduction to sustainable material options available currently — plastics, elastomers and additives — that can be obtained from renewable resources. Detailed descriptions will be provided for naturally occurring polymers including natural rubber, cellulose and starch, as well as polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and Polybutylene Succinate (PBS) that can be produced from naturally occurring precursors. The class material will also touch upon polymers from natural oils and additives from natural resources including natural fillers, fibers and clay nanocomposites. Brief discussion of processing these emerging bio-based materials will also be included.

Content

- Introduction to commercial plastics and elastomers
- Definitions and standards for biobased/bio-derived and biodegradable, Oxo-degradable plastics and additives
- Brief introduction to Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and general design criteria for sustainable plastics

Sustainable options available:

  • Polylactic acid (PLA), Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), Polybutylene succinate (PBS), other polymers from bioderived monomers
  • Cellulose, starch based materials and their blends with other polymers
  • Natural Rubber (NR), modified NR and blends
  • Plastics from vegetable oils
  • Natural fillers, reinforcements and clay nanocomposites
  • Natural fibers
  • Economics of using bioderived polymers and additives
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