Polyethylene film with controlled degradation

摘要

Controlled degradation of polyethylene films could be an environmental solution for the future. About 2.8 million tonnes of plastic material is consumed annually in the agricultural market covering more than 5 million hectares. The majority of these films are based on polyethylene (PE) and those used for mulching account for about 4.5 million of these hectares. Mulching is widely used to control weed growth, maintain soil temperature and prevent frost damage. In most cases at the end of the season the films have to be retrieved and recycled or incinerated. As an alternative, Ciba Specialty Chemicals has developed additives for polyethylene film, which make it biodegradeable. The Envirocare range of additives allow the useful lifetime of the mulching film to be controlled so that when it is no longer requried it degrades.