Chemical Additives to Make Polymeric Materials Biodegradable

Abstract

The present invention is a new additive material that is physically blended with polymeric material to create at least a partially biodegradable product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An admixture for use as a biodegradable additive for enhancing biodegradation of polymeric material when added thereto comprising:
 a furanone;   a carboxylic acid compound comprising a chain length from about 2 to about 18 carbons; and   a polymer wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of: polydivinyl benzene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyesters, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyamide, and any copolymers of said polymers.   
     
     
         2 . The admixture of  claims 1  wherein the polyesters is aliphatic. 
     
     
         3 . The admixture of  claims 1  wherein the polyesters is aromatic. 
     
     
         4 . An admixture for use as a biodegradable additive for enhancing biodegradation of polymeric material when added thereto comprising:
 a furanone;   a glutaric acid; and   a polymer wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of: polydivinyl benzene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyesters, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyamide, and any copolymers of said polymers.   
     
     
         5 . The admixture of  claims 4  wherein the polyesters is aliphatic. 
     
     
         6 . The admixture of  claims 4  wherein the polyesters is aromatic. 
     
     
         7 . An admixture for use as a biodegradable additive for enhancing biodegradation of polymeric material when added thereto comprising:
 a furanone; and   a polymer wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of: polydivinyl benzene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyesters, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyamide, and any copolymers of said polymers.   
     
     
         8 . The admixture of  claims 7  wherein the polyesters is aliphatic. 
     
     
         9 . The admixture of  claims 7  wherein the polyesters is aromatic. 
     
     
         10 . A method of creating a layered polymeric plastic or composite comprising:
 providing one or more layers of a polymer that is not biodegradable; and   layering the polymer with an admixture comprising a chemo attractant compound, a glutaric acid, and a carboxylic acid compound on, between or around the polymer layers to create a new biodegradable product wherein the polymer is at least partially biodegradable.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one layer comprises an enzyme produced by microorganisms suitable for degrading the polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the enzymes are applied to at least one layer using vapor deposition. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one layer has perforations. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one layer is biaxially oriented. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one layer is shaped like honeycomb hexagon shapes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one layer is rigid against mechanical stress. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one layer comprises a fragrance. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one layer comprises an initiator that modifies the polymer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one layer of said composite comprises a paper composition. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one layer of said composite comprises a metallic composition.