Biodegradable Cellulose Acetate Composition for Single-Use Products

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a global challenge with waste disposal, particularly for non-biodegradable consumer products like plastics, which are not easily recyclable or compostable, leading to environmental issues and the need for materials that are both compostable and biodegradable, especially for single-use items like straws and packaging.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising cellulose acetate with a specific acetyl degree of substitution (DSAC) range and polyethylene glycol or methoxy polyethylene glycol, along with optional additives like epoxidized soybean oil or secondary antioxidants, that is melt processable, biodegradable, and disintegrable, aiming to create biodegradable and compostable products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional plastics are used for single-use products, then performance and durability are adequate, but biodegradability and compostability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance adequacyVSAvoidenvironmental harm from non-biodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using cellulose acetate with specific acetyl degree of substitution (DSAC) values and controlled molecular weights, along with plasticizers and catalysts, to create a material that maintains adequate performance for single-use applications while achieving biodegradability and compostability within acceptable timeframes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system combining cellulose acetate with specific plasticizers (e.g., citrate esters, phthalates), catalysts, and other additives to achieve the desired balance between performance, processability, and biodegradability that neither component could achieve alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If biodegradable materials are used for single-use products, then environmental sustainability is improved, but melt processability and manufacturing feasibility may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidmelt processability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes processing parameters by controlling the molecular weight distribution of cellulose acetate (using a blend of low and high molecular weight components) and selecting appropriate plasticizers to achieve adequate melt flow and processability while maintaining biodegradability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different functional components at specific concentrations - low molecular weight cellulose acetate for processability, high molecular weight for mechanical properties, and specific plasticizers in controlled amounts - to achieve local optimization of both manufacturability and environmental sustainability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If cellulose acetate with high acetyl degree of substitution is used, then biodegradability is improved, but melt processability and structural stability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiodegradability rateVSAvoidmelt structural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent precisely controls the acetyl degree of substitution parameter within specific ranges (DSAC 2.2-2.6 for low MW, 2.0-2.4 for high MW) to achieve the optimal balance between biodegradability rate and melt structural stability, preventing both excessive degradation and poor processability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines cellulose acetate fractions with different DSAC values and molecular weights in specific proportions, along with stabilizing additives, to create a composite system where the components complement each other - higher DSAC components provide biodegradability while lower DSAC components maintain structural stability during processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a biodegradable and compostable material suitable for single-use consumer products, enhancing environmental sustainability by reducing waste accumulation in landfills and promoting renewable and recycled content usage.

Implementation Method 1

the composition is melt processable, biodegradable, and disintegrable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

the composition is melt processable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS20230075066A1Biodegradable compositions and articles made from cellulose acetate

Publication Date: 2023.03.09 EASTMAN CHEM CO

AI summary

A thermoformable and biodegradable cellulose acetate composition comprising at least one cellulose acetate and either polyethylene glycol or m ethoxy polyethylene glycol are disclosed. The compositions are formed into films, sheets, and articles.