5.1 Introduction

Walter-Lambert, the US pharmaceutical company, played a pioneering role in the development of starch-based biodegradable polymers in the early 1990s. Walter-Lambert scientists in Switzerland discovered starch-based polymers while they were researching injection-mouldable materials that could replace gelatine in pharmaceutical capsules. Novon biodegradable polymers were introduced commercially in 1990 with the construction of a large manufacturing facility in Illinois, USA. Despite the early promise of its Novon polymers, Warner-Lambert decided to suspend production three years later following heavy losses for the business.

Italian company Novamont has since emerged as the leading supplier of starch-based polymers. Novamont started its research activities in 1989 as part of the Montedison group and its Mater-Bi polymers were commercialised in 1990 with the opening of a 4,000 tonnes per annum plant at Terni in Italy. Novamont further consolidated its leading position in starch-based polymers in 1997 with the acquisition of worldwide patents belonging to Warner-Lambert and has continued to grow the business very successfully since then.

According to Novamont, the performance of Mater-Bi polymers in use is similar to petrochemical-based plastics such as polyethylene and processing performance is also similar or improved compared with traditional plastics. The materials have a wide range of mechanical properties, from soft and tough materials to rigid, exhibit antistatic behaviour and Mater-Bi films have a wide range of permeability to water vapour. Starch-based biodegradable polymers make a significant reduction in environmental impact, particularly with respect to carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption, in comparison with traditional materials and can...