New biodegradable plastic material developed in Tamil Nadu; final trials on

Madurai: Researchers at Kasilingam University and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research claim they have developed a new biodegradable plastic material, which is in the final stages of trials. A release from the University said Prof. A Vardharajulu Varadharajulu, an Emeritus scientist at CSIR, working with Osmania University, analysed the new biodegradable plastic material.

The University, located in Virudhunagar district, said its team, comprising members from the mechanical engineering, biotechnology and chemistry departments, developed thin film made of the new material of one micron thick solid waste together with CSIR scientists after non stop observation and research for 25 days.

Three sets of the film, after some chemical reaction,were kept underground. Depending on the chemical reaction thin film degraded, within a year, one month and one hour respectively. "Normally plastic does not degrad even after millions of years. But the new plastic material was found degradable," said Senthil Kumar, a scientist involved in developing the material. Another scientist Dr Rajini said the new material had been sent to Chennai for testing and final approval. It could be used as an alternate plastic food packages and in the biomedical field, he said.