Sugar-based polymers enhance plastic circularity in new transatlantic research

Researchers from the University of Birmingham, UK, and Duke University, US, have developed a new polymers family from sugar-based materials. The polymers retain the same qualities as common plastics, but are both degradable and mechanically recyclable.

To create two new types of polymer, the scientists used sugar-based starting materials, rather than petrochemical derivatives. While one of the new polymers is stretchable like rubber, the other is tough but ductile, like most commercial plastics.

The researchers found that the isoidide-based polymer showed a stiffness and malleability similar to common plastics, and a strength that is similar to high-grade engineering plastics such as Nylon-6.

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