Influence of Starch on the Biodegradability of AGENACOMP®

Resumo

The compostable blend AGENACOMP®, which combines thermoplastic starch with other biopolymers, has shown potential for producing plastic bags with reduced environmental impact upon disposal, thanks to its good processability and ability to form thin films when extruded. In this study, we produced a blend of AGENACOMP® with additional incorporated starch and evaluated its properties using extrusion, injection, mechanical tests, optical microscopy, and FTIR analysis. Furthermore, we tested its biodegradability by placing samples in simulated soil for three months. Our findings revealed that the addition of starch not only accelerated degradation but also increased the tensile modulus by approximately 20%. This indicates that the modified blend exhibits improved mechanical properties while remaining environmentally friendly due to its biodegradability.