Additives for Biodegradable Polystyrene (PS)
Learn how biodegradable polystyrene additives, expanded polystyrene (EPS) additives, and extruded polystyrene (XPS) additives are used to enhance the biodegradation of plastic.
About PS, EPS, and XPS
Polystyrene can be solid or foamed by extrusion or expansion. In both forms, this additive is used to enhance the biodegradation of plastic by allowing hydrophilic parameters into the polymer chain. This allows microbial enzymatic action to reduce the structure of the polymer by utilizing macromolecules within the plastic. BioSphere’s additive does not change the physical properties of the plastic. Your product will maintain regular shelf life and tensile strength while offering the benefits of enhanced biodegradation.
Note that polystyrene, in both solid and extruded form, is compatible with our biodegradable pellet additives. Meanwhile, our 401 powder additive is specifically designed for the manufacturing of expanded polystyrene beads during the polymerization process.
While our biodegradable additive is compatible with PS, it also works with virtually every other polymer type.
FAQs
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Yes, biodegradation of polystyrene, biodegradable EPS, and biodegradable XPS are achievable and accelerated with the addition of BioSphere additive.
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Polystyrene chains must be broken down into constituent parts for the energy potential to be used by microorganisms. These constituent parts, or monomers, are then readily available to other bacteria. The process of breaking these chains and dissolving the smaller molecules into a solution is called hydrolysis or oxidation.
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Polystyrene uses a combination of oxidation (using air) and hydrolysis (using water) while breaking polystyrene down from their high-molecular-weight polymeric components into carbonyls. This is the necessary first step in anaerobic or aerobic biodegradation. During oxidation and hydrolysis, the polymers are converted from long chains to simple monomers, and further into carbon dioxide (aerobically), methane gas (anaerobically), water, and metabolic biomass.
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Solid polystyrene (PS) is widely used for containers, lids, bottles, trays, tumblers, and disposable cutlery. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is typically used for protective packaging such as packing peanuts, and Extruded polystyrene (XPS) is often used for meat trays.
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Proven Biodegradable Efficacy
BioSphere Pricing
Our additives are competitively priced by design. Commercially viable biodegradable solutions give our customers a competitive edge, and positively impact the environment at the same time.
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Whether ready-made or custom, we can provide the perfect biodegradable solution.