The same durability properties which make plastics ideal for many applications such as in
packaging, building materials and commodities, as well as in hygiene products, can lead to wastedisposal
problems in the case of traditional petroleum-derived plastics, as these materials are not
readily biodegradable and because of their resistance to microbial degradation, they accumulate in the
environment. In addition in recent times oil prices have increased markedly. These facts have helped to
stimulate interest in biodegradable polymers and in particular biodegradable biopolymers.
Biodegradable plastics and polymers were first introduced in 1980s. There are many sources of