South Korean biodegradable material research

South Korean researchers are advancing the development of sustainable, biodegradable materials through two primary methods.

At the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), a team led by Professor Sang Yup Lee has engineered Escherichia coli to convert glucose into biodegradable polymers. These polymers produce hot-melt adhesives that serve as eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-derived plastics, with strength tests on stainless steel showing performance exceeding commercial ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) adhesives.

Concurrently, researchers at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), led by Dr. Hoyong Kim, have focused on reinforcing biodegradable plastics using hemp hurd. By extracting cellulose from discarded industrial hemp stalks and utilizing a specialized drying process to prevent hornification, the team created a microfibrillated cellulose biofiller. This method aims to improve the tear resistance and moisture protection of biodegradable films, such as those made from thermoplastic starch, while reducing agricultural waste and material costs.