Biodegradable Polymer Research for Packaging Applications


Poly(lactic acid) is one of the biodegradable polymers, which is getting the attention of many researchers. Because of environmental friendliness, renewable materials and suitable for packaging to substitute polymers made from petroleum. However, poly(lactic acid) limitations are brittleness, low impact strength and low elongation at break restrict the applications. For packaging application, In addition to the need for environmental friendly materials, antibacterial packaging that can against bacteria is also desirable. For the safety of consumer’s health from bacterium, which causes diarrhea and foodborne illness. The incorporation of anti-bacterial agents in biodegradable polymer is required.

The working scope in the P-PROF research group are focusing on improvements of mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid), including property modifiers, anti-bacterial performance of anti-bacterial agent in poly(lactic acid) matrix, effect of processing conditions and degradation mechanism (pre-treatment, abiotic and biotic-degradation) of poly(lactic acid).

Project : Materials Formulations, Processing and Chemo-biodegradation of Polylactic Acid (PLA) and PLA Products

Researchers :      
1) Prof. Dr. Narongrit Sombatsompop

2) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Benjaphorn Prapagdee

3) Mr. Panupong Srimalanon 

4) Mr. Yeiangchart Bonluksiri

Supported by :

  1. The Office of the Higher Education Commission (Thailand) under the National Research Universities (NRU) program
  2. The Office of the Higher Education Commission (Thailand) under the National Research Universities (NRU) program
  3. The Thailand Research Fund (TRF) under the Directed Basic Research Grant
  4. The Royal Golden Jubilee PhD Program (PHD/0053/2558).
  5. The Petchra Pra Jom Klao PhD. Research Scholarship (PHD/43/2559)