FAQ
1. What are Normal Plastics?
Plastics are materials made up of large molecules weight that can be formed into a variety of products. The word plastic is derived from the word "plasicus" which is Latin for 'capable of molding' and "plastikos" which is Greek for 'to form',' to mold' or 'fit for molding' and it denotes one of the important characteristics of all plastics. Plastics are also used as a generic term for all synthetic macromolecular materials and belong to a chemical family referred to as high polymers.
2. Why don’t they decompose?
Since plastics belong to a chemical family of high polymers they are essentially made up of a long chain of molecules containing repeated units of carbon atoms. Because of this inherent molecular stability (high molecular weight), plastics do not easily breakdown into simpler components. However plastics do decompose though not fully and that too over a very long period of time (100 to 500 years). Commercially available plastics (polyolefins like polyethylene,polypropylene etc) have been further made resistant to decomposition by means of additional stabilizers like anti oxidants.
3. What can be done to make them decompose?
By suitably incorporating the KANJITM, these plastics can be made to decompose or degrade. The decomposition or degradation of plastics (polyolefins) which are constructed of carbon and water, results from the breakdown of these bonds in each molecule, leading to a lowering of the molecular weight and a resultant loss of strength and durability. Hence the carbon nutrients which they contain can be made available to the environment.
4. What are Degradable Plastics?
Degradable Plastics are plastics that are designed to undergo a significant change in their chemical structures under specific environmental conditions resulting in a loss of some properties that may vary as measured by the test methods appropriate to plastics and applications in a period of time that determines their classification.
5. What is the unique feature in the plastic film which makes it degradable?
KANJI™ of degradation essentially modifies the polymer matrix to make the polyolefins photo-biodegradable which leads to chain scissions and hence a lowering of molecular weight besides creating a hydrophilic surface which can be bio-assimilated by microorganisms in the soil. Hence the unique feature would be the controlled modification of the polymer matrix.
6. What are Biodegradable Plastics? What is Biodegradation?
Direct Biodegradable Plastics are degradable plastics in which the degradation results from the action of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae etc. This mechanism of degradation is referred to as Biodegradation. Biodegradable plastics are those which in a suitable environment completely disintegrate into carbon-di-oxide, water and biomass.
7. What are Photo-degradable Plastics? What is Photo-degradation?
Plastics where degradation results from the photo-oxidation of the polyolefin are called Photodegradable Plastics i.e Plastics in which degradation results from the action of natural day light. This mechanism of degradation is referred to as Photo-degradation.
8. How has KANJITM made the plastics degradable?
By suitably modifying the polymer matrix during compounding to make the polyolefins bio-photo degradable which leads to chain scissions and hence a lowering of molecular weight besides creating a hydrophilic surface which can be bio-assimilated by microorganisms in the soil.
9. How does the process of degradation start?
The degradation process starts by photo-oxidation of the polyolefin and hence photodegradation can be said to be the first step followed by biodisintegration/biodegradation of the polyolefin. However in general all the major degradation mechanisms as mentioned earlier occur parallel to degrade the polyolefin.
10. When does the process of degradation of the plastic start i.e after how long time?
As soon as the polyolefin is suitably modified using the KANJITM and is converted into a plastic product by a suitable production process and is subsequently brought into a suitable environment the degradation process would start.
11. Does it require any special storage means or can it be stored like virgin plastic?
It is advisable that these degradable films should be stored in a cool and dry environment and away from direct oxygen access. For instance films or the end products could be sealed and stored in paper sheets. This would also help in clean transportation of the film from one location to another.
12. What is its toxicity and can it be used for keeping food items?
These degradable films are non toxic and conform to toxicity tests as per accepted protocols. They are food grade and can be used for storing food items in similar applications as for virgin conventional plastic films.
13. What is the recommended method for storing and disposing these degradable films?
Storing: It is advisable that these degradable films should be stored in a cool and dry environment and away from direct oxygen access. For instance films or the end products could be sealed and stored in paper sheets. This would also help in clean transportation of the film from one location to another.
14.What does one mean by weathering and how is the film effected-indoors/ outdoors by temperature, moisture etc.?
Weathering is what naturally occurs in the open environment but is as well a test method using UV radiation, temperature and moisture to study the degradation behavior of plastics. The major difference indoor and outdoor on the film would be the absence or presence of direct UV light, oxygen and higher changes in moisture and temperature which would accelerate or decelerate the process of degradation.
15. Can it be used for storing cut fruits and vegetables and any action there of?
Yes it can be used for storing fruits and vegetables but would depend on the time duration for which they are packed.