【Frontiers in HaiChuan Chemical Technology】Russia develops fire-resistant, biodegradable film to address plastic pollution and safety issues

Thread Content

Russia has developed a fire-resistant, biodegradable film that helps address the problems of plastic pollution and safety. Plastic pollution has become an environmental challenge faced by the whole world, and the situation in Russia is no exception. According to Volgograd State Technical University, Russia generates 710,000 to 750,000 tons of polymer waste each year, of which only 3% to 10% can be recycled; the rest is mostly disposed of through landfilling or incineration. The natural decomposition time of ordinary plastics is extremely long; common packaging plastics take at least ten years to decompose, while some plastic bottles take as long as 1,000 years to break down completely, thereby causing long-term pollution of soil and water sources. At the same time, the need for safe packaging materials is becoming increasingly important. In particular, containers used to hold oils and petroleum products must have flame-retardant properties to prevent fire risks. However, existing biodegradable plastics often struggle to meet both requirements: they are either easy to degrade but not flame-retardant, or flame-retardant but difficult to degrade. Against this backdrop, researchers at Volgograd State Technical University have successfully developed a new type of thin-film material that is not only fire-resistant but also can be rapidly degraded by microorganisms in the natural environment. This transparent film is based on polyvinyl alcohol, with nitrogen-, boron-, and phosphorus-containing compounds added as flame retardants; it can be produced efficiently using the casting method. It is suitable for packaging petroleum products, oil containers, and certain foods, and can also be used as an impregnant for packaging paper. https://p3-sign.toutiaoimg.com/tos-cn-i-axegupay5k/ebf97b30f22840cabf764e60bb3f3a36~tplv-tt-origin-web:gif.jpeg?_iz=58558&from=article.pc_detail&lk3s=953192f4&x-expires=1766038694&x-signature=y3krI5QzvBMcSH8W9bXzMzw5kOM%3D The relevant research findings have been published in the journal Polymer Science, Series D; part of the funding for this project came from the Russian Science Foundation and the government of Volgograd Oblast. Natalia Kuybar, head of the Department of Polymer Chemistry Technology and Industrial Ecology at the university, explained that the addition of flame retardants not only improved the heat resistance and flame-retardant properties of the film, but also enhanced its elasticity and biodegradability, allowing it to decompose rapidly in the soil under natural climate conditions. Behind this technological breakthrough are the combined impetus of practical needs and policy guidance. From an environmental perspective, there is increasing global effort to address plastic pollution. In 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted a resolution calling for the establishment of a legally binding international treaty on plastic pollution. Russia, as a member of the Global Alliance for Sustainable Plastic, is also actively responding to this challenge. At the policy level, Russia has introduced relevant laws requiring manufacturers to gradually increase the rate of packaging recycling, with 100% recycling to be achieved by 2027. It also plans to raise the environmental tax on plastic packaging significantly starting in 2026; the tax rate for certain types of packaging is set to increase by nearly 10 times, forcing companies to seek environmentally friendly alternative materials. From the perspective of market demand, the insufficient flame-retardant properties of existing biodegradable materials limit their use in areas such as packaging for oils and chemical products. The new type of film fills this gap, meeting both environmental requirements and the needs for safe use. In response, some netizens commented that finally there is a material that can address both the problems of plastic’s difficulty in biodegrading and its tendency to catch fire. Using this type of film for packaging oils and chemical products means there is no need to worry about environmental pollution, and it also reduces the risk of fires; it is truly practical. Some netizens also said that in their areas, there is often a buildup of discarded plastic; ordinary biodegradable plastics are not safe for use in certain situations, and the emergence of this new type of film offers new approaches for environmental protection efforts. Some netizens are also concerned about the practical implementation of this technology; they hope that large-scale production can be achieved as soon as possible to reduce costs, making it accessible to more companies and enabling it to truly replace traditional plastic packaging. Some netizens in the chemical industry believe that this technology is suitable not only for Russia but also serves as a model for addressing plastic pollution worldwide, with broad application prospects especially in fields such as petroleum and chemicals where high standards are required regarding packaging safety. Some analyses suggest that traditional biodegradable materials often have performance shortcomings, as it is difficult to balance flame retardancy with practicality. Russian scientists have made a breakthrough by adding composite flame retardants, thereby retaining the key advantages of biodegradability while addressing the deficiencies in safety performance, thus providing a new direction for the development of such materials. Researchers at the Russian polymer company Sibur say that the production process for this new type of film is relatively mature; the casting method is suitable for large-scale manufacturing, and the raw materials are readily available, which provides a foundation for its industrial application. The company is also developing polymer products containing recycled materials, and it may seek similar technical collaborations in the future. This achievement is in line with the global trend toward addressing plastic pollution. Russia’s policy orientations and technological developments have interacted positively, allowing it to respond to international calls while also meeting both domestic environmental protection needs and industrial development requirements, thus serving as a reference for other countries. The successful development of this new type of fire-resistant and biodegradable film not only resolves the conflict between environmental protection and safety, but also sends an important message: the development of environmentally friendly materials should not come at the expense of their performance, as it is possible to achieve both goals through technological innovation. At a time when efforts to address global plastic pollution have reached a more complex stage, such technological breakthroughs are of great significance. It not only provides an effective tool for Russia to address plastic pollution and implement environmental protection policies, but also opens up new avenues for the research and development as well as application of environmental-friendly materials worldwide. With further advancements in technology and the expansion of mass production, it is expected that the use of traditional plastic packaging will be reduced, thereby easing environmental pressure and providing new impetus for sustainable development. The R&D logic behind this – focusing on real-world needs, targeting technical challenges, and aligning with policy directions – also provides valuable insights for the innovation of more environmental protection technologies.