South Korean researchers develop new biodegradable materials

Researchers in South Korea have achieved two distinct breakthroughs in the development of sustainable, biodegradable materials.

A team led by Professor Sang Yup Lee at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has engineered Escherichia coli to convert glucose into biodegradable polymers. This process produces hot-melt adhesives that could serve as eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-derived plastics like ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). In strength tests on stainless steel, the engineered material reached 4.58 megapascals, outperforming the 4.20 MPa recorded for commercial EVA adhesives.

Separately, a research team led by Dr. Hoyong Kim at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) has developed a method to strengthen biodegradable plastics using hemp hurd, an agricultural byproduct. By extracting cellulose from discarded industrial hemp stalks and using a specialized drying process to preserve its microfibrillar structure, the team created a reinforcing biofiller. This approach aims to improve the durability and moisture resistance of biodegradable films, such as those made from thermoplastic starch, while reducing waste and raw-material costs.