The compound made up of citric acid aims to surpass the limits of recycling conventional thermosetting plastics. A group led by Professor Koo Jun-mo at the Department of Science and Engineering Materials at Chungnam National University, along with the KRICT team coordinated by Dr Shin Gi-young and Jeon Hyeon-yeol, have developed a new thermosetting polymer designed for lower environmental impact. According to the university, plastic obtained from this new material degrades within six weeks.

The information does not specify the total duration of the project nor indicate where the different experimental phases were carried out. According to the Chungnam National University, the plastics produced by this new material degrade within six weeks. No details are given on conditions adopted during testing, measurement method used or amount of material subjected to test.

Results published July 6th on ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering journal. Work is dedicated to a thermosetting polymer based on citric acid, which intervenes on structure of material to balance barrier properties, resistance over time and capability of degradation. Cho Eun-jeong, master student at Chungnam National University, is first author of scientific article.

Koo Jun-mo is instead indicated as corresponding author, role that normally curates publication relations. Provided text does not report direct statements from researchers nor independent evaluations of performance of compound. Group has synthesized polymer using citric acid, organic acid present naturally in citrus fruits and other plants.

Choice of substance constitutes base chemistry of described material. Source however specifies no additional components used, proportions utilized or production process applied. Research addresses problem related to structure of conventional thermosetting plastics.

When these polymers undergo reticulation, their chain forms stable network that cannot be worked again with procedures applied to other plastic materials. This characteristic limits recycling after use and makes handling waste more complex. New compound presented by university as response to such limitation because it maintains thermosetting nature while keeping recyclable.

Material offers also biodegradable degradation capacity which according to university manifests within specified period. Information does not provide comparative data with conventional polymers or existing biodegradable materials available. Project locates itself in context of strong growth of global plastic production.

According to Korea Times, global volume had surpassed 380 million metric tons all year and may exceed 800 million metric tons by 2040. Combination between duration during service, barrier properties, recyclability and biodegradation represent main element indicated research. However source does not specify for what products or industrial sectors this polymer could be employed, neither reports scale production tests, agreements with companies, estimated costs or time required market entry.

Remaining therefore details regarding reproducibility results outside laboratory, necessary conditions obtaining biodegradability six weeks and economic sustainability of process remain unclear. No information provided on further experiments, independent verifications or subsequent development stages.