Biodegradation of polyethylene modified with "Bionolle®" polyester

Susceptibility of polyethylene film modified with different quantities (up to 30% by weight - Table 1) of "Bionolle(R)" polyester to biodegradation caused by various strains of microscopic fungi was investigated. Fungi growth on film (Fig. 1), film weight loss (Table 2) were determined, surface changes were observed by SEM (Fig. 2) and FT-IR spectra of the films were recorded (Fig. 3). It was concluded that changes on film surface and morphological forms of the fungi depend on film composition. 30% addition of polyester accelerates biodegradation of PE.