Open-access Assessment of modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) films under anaerobic conditions

Single-use plastics represent almost a fifth of the global plastics market, leading to high residual accumulation. The study aimed to evaluate the biodegradability, under anaerobic conditions, of additivated polyethylene terephthalate (PET-ad), marketed by a company in Brazil. The polymeric films were submerged in digesters in sludge from sewage treatment plants. Films were characterized throughout time, as were the biogas and microorganisms in the medium. The results indicated weight and microscopic differences attributed to sludge components and microbial colonization on films’ surfaces. The thermal properties did not show changes. Moreover, at the end of the research, the microorganisms still had considerable concentration – 106 and 109 NMP/ml, anaerobic and aerobic, respectively. The production of methane (60% v/v) and carbon dioxide (30% v/v) gases peaked in the first month and decreased subsequently. At eighteen months, PET-ad has been proven to undergo the initial degradation process faster than negative control.

Keywords:
anaerobic digestion; biodegradable polymers; PET-ad; sludge

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