New polyester-amide polymer is sustainable alternative to nylon

The recyclable material, developed by a team from the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Inha University and Sogang University, is said to have strength and flexibility comparable to nylon and can be applied to textiles, fishing nets, and food packaging.

In a statement, Inha University’s Dr Sung-Bae Park said: “The key achievement is that this material overcomes the limitations of conventional biodegradable plastics while offering nylon-level performance.”

Composition

According to the team, the PEA polymer combines ester (for biodegradability) and amide (for toughness) linkages in an optimal ratio. Traditionally, the synthesis of polymers with ester and amide groups required toxic organic solvents.

Now, the has team developed a new two-step melt polymerisation process that eliminates the need for solvents and enables industrial-scale production (up to 4kg) in a 10l reactor. The method is compatible with existing polyester manufacturing facilities with only minor modifications required.

Experiments

Marine biodegradability tests showed that the new PEA achieved up to 92.1 per cent degradation within one year, outperforming existing biodegradable plastics such as PLA (0.1 per cent), PBS (35.9 per cent), and PBAT (21.1 per cent). Even more complete biodegradation occurs under composting conditions, where microbial populations are higher.