Chungnam National University team develops new material for eco-friendly plastics in collaborative study

A joint research team from Chungnam National University and the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) has developed a recyclable and biodegradable material for eco-friendly plastics.

The university said Thursday that a team, led by professor Koo Jun-mo of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, has developed an eco-friendly thermoset polymer in collaboration with a KRICT team led by professors Shin Gi-young and Jeon Hyeon-yeol.

The development is notable as the new thermoset polymer is both recyclable and biodegradable.

Plastics made from the material biodegrade within six weeks, according to the university.

The findings were published July 6 in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering under the title, “Structurally Tuned Citric Acid–Based Polyester Thermoset with Balanced Barrier, Durability, and Biodegradation Performance.” Cho Eun-jeong, a master’s student at Chungnam National University, was the first author of the paper, while Koo served as the corresponding author.

Global plastic production has exceeded 380 million metric tons annually and is pr ...