Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-11-11 Origin: Site
Biodegradable materials like PLA (Polylactic Acid), PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate), and PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates) are hailed as the future of sustainable packaging, agriculture, and consumer goods—offering a critical solution to the global plastic waste crisis. By 2030, the market for these materials is projected to reach $15 billion, driven by global bans on single-use plastics and consumer demand for eco-friendly alternatives. Yet, their widespread industrialization faces a major roadblock: hydrolysis. Abundant ester bonds (–COO–) in PLA, PBAT, and PHA make them vulnerable to moisture, triggering premature performance decay (brittleness, tensile strength loss) or uncontrolled degradation (breaking down before end-use). This is where the Anti-hydrolysis Agent becomes a game-changer. By precisely inhibiting unwanted hydrolysis while preserving biodegradability, it bridges the gap between sustainability and practicality—enabling these materials to replace traditional plastics in high-demand industrial scenarios.
To understand how Anti-hydrolysis Agent protects biodegradable materials, we first need to unpack the science of hydrolysis in PLA, PBAT, and PHA. Their degradation is not random—it stems from structural vulnerabilities and is amplified by real-world environmental conditions.
All three materials share a common structural flaw: long chains of ester bonds (–COO–), which are highly reactive with water molecules. Here’s the breakdown of the hydrolysis cycle:
Initiation: Water infiltrates the polymer matrix, breaking ester bonds into carboxylic acids (–COOH) and alcohols. Even trace moisture (e.g., 5% RH) can trigger this step.
Acceleration: Carboxylic acids act as catalysts, speeding up further ester bond cleavage in an autocatalytic loop. A single acid molecule can break hundreds of additional bonds, leading to exponential degradation.
Failure: As molecular weight plummets, the material loses mechanical strength—becoming brittle (PLA), flexible (PBAT), or structurally collapsing (PHA) long before its intended use.
Each biodegradable material exhibits unique hydrolysis-induced issues, directly limiting its industrial use:
PLA: Derived from corn starch, PLA has high crystallinity but poor hydrolysis resistance. In humid storage (80% RH, 25℃), its molecular weight drops by 35% in just 14 days, and tensile strength falls by 40%—making it useless for packaging that needs a 6-month shelf life .
PBAT: A flexible blend component (often mixed with PLA for ductility), PBAT is even more hydrolysis-susceptible. In agricultural mulch films exposed to rain, it loses 40% of its tensile strength in 30 days, tearing before crops mature .
PHA: Produced by microbes, PHA is biocompatible but sensitive to moisture. In medical applications (e.g., dissolvable sutures) or food packaging, it can degrade uncontrollably—losing structural integrity in 2 weeks of 30℃/70% RH storage .
Hydrolysis doesn’t exist in a vacuum; specific conditions common in industrial use accelerate it:
High humidity (>80% RH): Typical in tropical packaging warehouses or agricultural fields, increasing moisture absorption.
Elevated temperature (>50℃): Found in hot-fill packaging (e.g., soup cups) or outdoor storage, doubling hydrolysis rates for every 10℃ rise .
Acidic/alkaline media: Present in food (e.g., citrus juices) or soil (pH 4.0–8.0), breaking ester bonds faster than neutral conditions.
Processing moisture: Residual water from PLA/PBAT pellet drying can initiate hydrolysis during extrusion, leading to defective films or containers.
The Anti-hydrolysis Agent solves hydrolysis not by stopping biodegradation (a critical requirement), but by targeting the autocatalytic cycle that causes premature failure. Its mechanisms and types are tailored to the unique needs of PLA, PBAT, and PHA—ensuring protection without compromising eco-friendliness.
Unlike traditional stabilizers that block all degradation, the Anti-hydrolysis Agent acts with precision:
Scavenge carboxylic acids: It reacts with hydrolysis-generated –COOH groups to form stable, inert compounds (e.g., urea linkages for carbodiimide-based agents). This eliminates the catalyst that drives rapid degradation.
Cap reactive chain ends: Some agents seal the broken ends of polymer chains, preventing water from attacking new ester bonds.
Maintain biodegradability: Crucially, the agent does not permanently alter the material’s ability to degrade in compost. Once the agent is exhausted (after the material’s intended lifespan), ester bonds break down naturally per ASTM D6400 (compostability standard).
Not all agents work for every material—selection depends on the polymer’s structure and end-use. Below is a comparison of the most effective types:
| Type of Anti-hydrolysis Agent | Chemical component | Suitable Biodegradable Materials | Key Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bio-SAH™ 362 Powder | N,N-Bis(2.6-diisopropylphenyl) carbodiimide | PLA, PBAT | High purity, light color, no odor and high activity |
| Bio-SAH™ 342 Liquid | Polymeric carbodiimide | PLA, PBAT, PHA | Liquid type, easy to add, good compatibility with materials, and soluble in water |
| Bio-SAH™ 372N | Polymeric carbodiimide | PBAT,PLA | High temperature resistance, effectively inhibits hydrolysis of ester-based materials |
Our proprietary Bio-SAH™ series aligns with these needs: Bio-SAH™ 372N (polymeric carbodiimide) for PLA/PHA, and Bio-SAH™ 342 Liquid (polymeric carbodiimide) for PBAT. Both retain 90% of the material’s biodegradability while extending service life—tested to break down fully in 180 days of composting.
The true value of Anti-hydrolysis Agent lies in its ability to solve real-world industrial problems. Below are three high-impact sectors where it transforms PLA/PBAT/PHA from "unreliable" to "industrial-grade."
Packaging is the largest market for biodegradable materials, but hydrolysis-induced brittleness or leakage has kept PLA/PBAT blends out of mainstream use—until now.
Challenge: Moisture in food packaging (e.g., bakery bags, produce containers) or hot-fill applications (e.g., 80℃ soup cups) causes PLA/PBAT films to degrade in 1–2 months.
Solution: Add 0.6–1.0 phr (parts per hundred resin) of Bio-SAH™ 372N (carbodiimide-based Anti-hydrolysis Agent) during film extrusion. For hot-fill applications, pair with a moisture scavenger (e.g., calcium oxide) for synergistic protection.
Result:
PLA/PBAT bakery bags retain >85% of their tensile strength after 6 months of 80% RH storage—up from 45% for untreated films.
Hot-fill cups withstand 80℃ water immersion for 1 hour without deformation, meeting industry standards for disposable foodware .
All samples still biodegrade fully in 120 days (ASTM D6400 compliant), with no toxic residues.
Agricultural mulch films are a $2 billion market, but traditional plastic films pollute soil. Biodegradable alternatives like PHA/PLA have failed due to premature hydrolysis—until Anti-hydrolysis Agent was integrated.
Challenge: Rain and soil moisture (pH 5.5–7.0) cause untreated PHA/PLA films to tear in 30 days, before crops (e.g., tomatoes, lettuce) reach maturity (60–90 days).
Solution: Use a composite Anti-hydrolysis Agent (1.0–1.2 phr Bio-SAH™ 342Liquid + 0.3 phr epoxyalkane) in PHA/PLA film formulation. The agent is designed to degrade slowly, providing protection for 60–90 days.
Result:
Mulch films maintain structural integrity for 75 days—enough for full crop growth—with only 15% tensile strength loss.
Post-harvest, films degrade completely in 80 days, leaving no fragments in soil (tested per ISO 17556).
Farmers report 20% higher crop yields vs. untreated films, as the intact barrier retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds .
Disposable tableware (plates, bowls, cutlery) is a high-volume use case for PBAT/PLA blends, but hydrolysis from hot water or detergents has limited adoption.
Challenge: Untreated PBAT/PLA tableware deforms or cracks after 5 uses with hot water (60℃) or mild detergents.
Solution: Add 0.3–1.0 phr of Anti-hydrolysis Agent (Bio-SAH™ 342Liquid) during injection molding. The agent preserves PBAT’s flexibility while protecting PLA from brittleness.
Result:
Tableware withstands 95℃ water immersion for 1 hour without deformation—up from 45℃ for untreated samples.
It retains usability for 30+ uses with detergents, meeting the "reusable-disposable" trend in cafes and catering.
Composting tests show 98% degradation in 150 days, aligning with EU single-use plastic regulations .
To maximize the benefits of Anti-hydrolysis Agent for PLA/PBAT/PHA, manufacturers must tailor their choice and application to the material type and end-use. Below is a step-by-step guide for industrial use.
Different biodegradable materials require different Anti-hydrolysis Agent types—matching the agent to the polymer’s vulnerabilities is critical:
| Biodegradable Material | Recommended Anti-hydrolysis Agent | Key Reason | End-Use Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Bio-SAH™ 362 Powder | Scavenges acids fast; prevents brittleness | Food packaging, disposable cups |
| PBAT | Bio-SAH™ 342 Liquid | Preserves flexibility; compatible with blending | Mulch films, flexible packaging |
| PHA | Bio-SAH™ 372N | Biocompatible; meets FDA standards | Medical sutures, food contact films |
Over-adding wastes cost; under-adding provides insufficient protection. Below are industry-proven addition rates (phr = parts per hundred resin):
| Material | Addition Level (phr) | Performance Goal |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | 0.5–1.5 | 6+ months shelf life; >85% tensile strength retention |
| PBAT | 0.3–1.0 | 90+ days mulch film integrity; no flexibility loss |
| PHA | 0.8–1.2 | 2+ weeks medical device stability; full biodegradability |
Even the right agent fails without proper processing. Follow these tips for industrial success:
Add during melt blending: Mix the agent with polymer pellets in an extruder or injection molding machine—avoid post-processing addition, which causes uneven dispersion.
Control processing temperature: Carbodiimide-based agents degrade above 270℃. Keep PLA extrusion temps <260℃ and PBAT/PHA temps <240℃.
Dry pellets first: Residual moisture in PLA/PBAT pellets (above 0.05%) can initiate hydrolysis before the agent acts. Use a dehumidifying dryer to reduce moisture to <0.02%.
Pair with synergists: For high-humidity applications (e.g., tropical packaging), combine Anti-hydrolysis Agent with a moisture scavenger (calcium oxide, molecular sieves) to reduce water absorption by 30–40%.
The demand for Anti-hydrolysis Agent in biodegradable materials is accelerating—driven by global policy, consumer trends, and technological innovation. Below are the key trends shaping its future, and how they align with the growth of PLA/PBAT/PHA.
By 2025, 130+ countries (including the EU, Canada, and India) will ban non-biodegradable single-use plastics—creating an urgent need for durable PLA/PBAT/PHA alternatives. The Anti-hydrolysis Agent is critical to meeting this demand: without it, these materials cannot replace traditional plastics in high-moisture applications (e.g., produce packaging, mulch films). Market research predicts that demand for anti-hydrolysis agents in biodegradables will grow 25% annually through 2030 .
Traditional carbodiimide agents use phosgene (a toxic raw material), raising concerns for food and medical applications. The next generation of agents—like our Bio-SAH™ Green series—uses plant-derived feedstocks (castor oil, sugarcane) to eliminate toxicity. These green agents meet EU REACH and FDA standards, making them ideal for baby food packaging or dissolvable medical devices. Pilot tests show they match the performance of traditional carbodiimides while reducing carbon footprint by 40% .
Outdoor applications (e.g., agricultural mulch, outdoor furniture) require more than just hydrolysis protection—they need UV and oxidation resistance too. New Anti-hydrolysis Agent blends integrate UV stabilizers (e.g., hindered amine light stabilizers) and antioxidants, reducing additive load by 50% while providing 3-in-1 protection. For example, a blended agent for PHA mulch films extends UV resistance to 6 months (up from 2 months) while maintaining hydrolysis protection .
The Anti-hydrolysis Agent is opening new markets for biodegradable materials that were previously off-limits:
Frozen Food Packaging: PLA/PBAT films with anti-hydrolysis agents now withstand freeze-thaw cycles (–20℃ to 25℃) without brittleness, replacing non-biodegradable PE films.
Medical Implants: PHA with oxazoline-based agents is used in dissolvable bone screws that maintain structural integrity for 3 months (critical for healing) before biodegrading.
Marine Biodegradables: PBAT agents degrades in seawater (per ASTM D6691) after 6 months, addressing ocean plastic pollution.
For years, hydrolysis has kept PLA, PBAT, and PHA trapped in niche applications—too fragile for industrial use, too unpredictable for consumer trust. The Anti-hydrolysis Agent changes that. By targeting the autocatalytic cycle of degradation, it extends the lifespan of these materials to meet industrial standards while preserving their most critical feature: biodegradability.Its impact is tangible: PLA/PBAT packaging that lasts 6 months, PHA/PLA mulch films that protect crops, and tableware that withstands hot water—all while breaking down into compost. In a world racing to end plastic waste, the Anti-hydrolysis Agent is not just an additive; it’s the key to unlocking the full potential of sustainable materials.For manufacturers looking to lead the biodegradable revolution, the message is clear: to turn PLA, PBAT, and PHA into industrial-grade solutions, start with the right Anti-hydrolysis Agent.
Ready to make your PLA, PBAT, or PHA products durable enough for industrial use? Explore our Bio-SAH™ product lineup—including green formulations for food/medical applications and multifunctional blends for outdoor use. Contact our team to run custom aging tests for your specific end-use. Let’s build biodegradable materials that are as strong as they are sustainable.
A: Scavenges hydrolysis-generated carboxylic acids, blocks autocatalytic degradation, extends lifespan while preserving biodegradability.
A: No, it only inhibits premature hydrolysis; materials still compost per standards like ISO 14855.
A: Carbodiimides for PLA, PBAT—match to material properties.
A: 0.5–1.5 phr for PLA, 0.3–1.0 phr for PBAT; adjust as needed.
