Innovative bioplastic Degra-TPE with faster degradation

In London, United Kingdom, a scientist has invented a biodegradable plastic that degrades faster than other plastics.

According to a report by The New Straits Times Online, the polymer called "Degra-TPE" pioneered by Professor Hanafi Ismail is entirely made of renewable and natural materials.

This invention has earned Dr. Ismail a gold medal for the 2008 International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design and Technology Fair.

“Compared to other plastics, such as Santoprene and Geolast, 15% of Degra-TPE material, which is waste plastic and rubber, can be completely degraded in three to six months under the action of special accelerated degradation additives,” Ismail said.

“Other plastics can take more than 100 years to degrade.” He added that another type of Degra-TPE is made from starch.

According to Hanafi, the cost of manufacturing Degra-TPE is 20% lower than other similar products on the market.

Hanafi, who started the project three years ago, said that the invention is conducive to solving the environmental problems caused by the treatment of petroleum-based non-degradable plastics. “The consumption of plastic materials in the world has grown from 5 million tons per year in the 1950s to the current 100 million tons,” he said. “In addition to these non-degraded synthetic polymers, the lack of space in landfills, the lack of oil resources, the increase in the price of oil, and emissions from the incineration of waste have all contributed to the development of such degradable plastics.” He added To.