Material	Aliphatic polyesters
	Aliphatic polyesters have properties similar to those of PE and PP. They are odorless and can be used for trash bags, diapers, and cosmetic and beverage bottles. They can be processed on conventional processing equipment at 140-260 °C, in blown and extruded films, foams, and injection moulded products. Aliphatic polyesters are biodegradable but often lack in good thermal and mechanical properties. Vice versa, aromatic polyesters, like PET, have excellent material properties, but are resistant to microbial attack.
Category	Biopolymers
Products	Pot for plants
Processes	Blow moulding Injection moulding Extrusion
Similar materials	PET (aromatic polyester)
References	Showa Highpolymer Co. Ltd. (Bionolle®)
Environmen- tal notes	Creation: Made from polycondensation reaction of glycol and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids. Both components can be obtained from renewable resources (e.g. glycol from glycerol by fermentation). Disposal: It biodegrades to water and carbon dioxide in soil as well as fresh and ocean water areas. The rate of degradation depends on grade, shape of the product, and level of microbiological activity. Typically, degradation of a 0.04 mm thick film takes two months. When coated with coconut-shell powder, and buried in soil, it decomposes within five days. In fact, coconut-shell powder absorbs water and swells, helping microorganisms to live on the biodegradable film.
Photo	Thomas Nissen (Computer graphics)
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