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Biotechnol Adv

Title:		New insights into polyurethane biodegradation and realistic prospects for the development of a sustainable waste recycling process
Author(s):		Cregut M; Bedas M; Durand MJ; Thouand G;
Address:		"University of Nantes, UMR CNRS, 6144 GEPEA CBAC lab, 18 Bvd Gaston Defferre, 85035 La Roche sur Yon, France"
Journal Title:		Biotechnol Adv
Year:		2013
Volume:		20130824
Issue:		8
Page Number:		1634 - 1647
DOI:		10.1016/j.biotechadv.2013.08.011
ISSN/ISBN:		1873-1899 (Electronic) 0734-9750 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Polyurethanes are polymeric plastics that were first used as substitutes for traditional polymers suspected to release volatile organic hazardous substances. The limitless conformations and formulations of polyurethanes enabled their use in a wide variety of applications. Because approximately 10 Mt of polyurethanes is produced each year, environmental concern over their considerable contribution to landfill waste accumulation appeared in the 1990s. To date, no recycling processes allow for the efficient reuse of polyurethane waste due to their high resistance to (a)biotic disturbances. To find alternatives to systematic accumulation or incineration of polyurethanes, a bibliographic analysis was performed on major scientific advances in the polyurethane (bio)degradation field to identify opportunities for the development of new technologies to recondition this material. Until polymers exhibiting oxo- or hydro-biodegradative traits are generated, conventional polyurethanes that are known to be only slightly biodegradable are of great concern. The research focused on polyurethane biodegradation highlights recent attempts to reprocess conventional industrial polyurethanes via microbial or enzymatic degradation. This review describes several wonderful opportunities for the establishment of new processes for polyurethane recycling. Meeting these new challenges could lead to the development of sustainable management processes involving polymer recycling or reuse as environmentally safe options for industries. The ability to upgrade polyurethane wastes to chemical compounds with a higher added value would be especially attractive"
Keywords:		"*Biodegradation, Environmental *Polyurethanes *Recycling Plastic recycling Polymer degradation Polyurethane Polyurethane biodegradation Polyurethane recycling;"
Notes:		"MedlineCregut, Mickael Bedas, M Durand, M-J Thouand, G eng Review England 2013/08/28 Biotechnol Adv. 2013 Dec; 31(8):1634-47. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2013.08.011. Epub 2013 Aug 24"