The Sustainability of Plastic Nets in Agriculture
This review article contributes new knowledge relating to the sustainability of antihail, anti-insect, and windbreak plastic nets in agriculture. Based on the review, biobased plastic nets made from polyamino acids, polysaccharide derivatives (DS), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polycaprolactone (PCL),...
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doaj-974b559e8371499b8152af6702b23c9f2020-11-25T02:53:14ZengMDPI AGSustainability2071-10502020-04-01123625362510.3390/su12093625The Sustainability of Plastic Nets in AgricultureChrysanthos Maraveas0Department of Civil Engineering, University of Patras, Rio 26504, GreeceThis review article contributes new knowledge relating to the sustainability of antihail, anti-insect, and windbreak plastic nets in agriculture. Based on the review, biobased plastic nets made from polyamino acids, polysaccharide derivatives (DS), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyhydroxylalkanoate (PHA), and polylactic acid (PLA) are shown to be highly biodegradable compared to conventional plastics such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride. The biodegradability of these materials is due to the use of natural precursors. However, nonbiodegradable plastics are the materials of choice in agricultural applications for the following reasons. Global commercial production of biobased plastics is low (~1%) due to the absence of facile and scalable production methods. Even though biobased materials are ecologically benign, they are limited in agricultural settings, given the low tensile strength and disruption of the activities of natural insect predators such as spiders. The enhancement of the material properties of biobased plastics involves a trade-off with sustainability. Chemical additives such as heavy metals and volatile compounds enhance the mechanical properties of biobased plastics but limit their sustainability. The current constraints on the production of biobased plastic nets can be resolved through electrospinning techniques that facilitate the development of plastic nets with controllable composition, porosity, and surface areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/9/3625plastic netssustainabilityagriculture (polymersbiodegradabilitycompostpests |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Chrysanthos Maraveas |
spellingShingle |
Chrysanthos Maraveas The Sustainability of Plastic Nets in Agriculture Sustainability plastic nets sustainability agriculture (polymers biodegradability compost pests |
author_facet |
Chrysanthos Maraveas |
author_sort |
Chrysanthos Maraveas |
title |
The Sustainability of Plastic Nets in Agriculture |
title_short |
The Sustainability of Plastic Nets in Agriculture |
title_full |
The Sustainability of Plastic Nets in Agriculture |
title_fullStr |
The Sustainability of Plastic Nets in Agriculture |
title_full_unstemmed |
The Sustainability of Plastic Nets in Agriculture |
title_sort |
sustainability of plastic nets in agriculture |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Sustainability |
issn |
2071-1050 |
publishDate |
2020-04-01 |
description |
This review article contributes new knowledge relating to the sustainability of antihail, anti-insect, and windbreak plastic nets in agriculture. Based on the review, biobased plastic nets made from polyamino acids, polysaccharide derivatives (DS), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyhydroxylalkanoate (PHA), and polylactic acid (PLA) are shown to be highly biodegradable compared to conventional plastics such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride. The biodegradability of these materials is due to the use of natural precursors. However, nonbiodegradable plastics are the materials of choice in agricultural applications for the following reasons. Global commercial production of biobased plastics is low (~1%) due to the absence of facile and scalable production methods. Even though biobased materials are ecologically benign, they are limited in agricultural settings, given the low tensile strength and disruption of the activities of natural insect predators such as spiders. The enhancement of the material properties of biobased plastics involves a trade-off with sustainability. Chemical additives such as heavy metals and volatile compounds enhance the mechanical properties of biobased plastics but limit their sustainability. The current constraints on the production of biobased plastic nets can be resolved through electrospinning techniques that facilitate the development of plastic nets with controllable composition, porosity, and surface areas. |
topic |
plastic nets sustainability agriculture (polymers biodegradability compost pests |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/9/3625 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT chrysanthosmaraveas thesustainabilityofplasticnetsinagriculture AT chrysanthosmaraveas sustainabilityofplasticnetsinagriculture |
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