Advanced Degradable Polymers – Ecolanka’s Pioneering Research
Ecolanka’s proprietary degradable polymer platform uses cyclic thionoester monomers to embed cleavable bonds into vinyl polymer backbones via radical polymerization while preserving the intrinsic properties of the material. This enables controlled, on-demand degradation under defined chemical or environmental triggers while preserving thermal stability, glass transition temperature (Tg), and mechanical performance.
Advantages of using our degradable-on-demand polymer technology
Smart weak-link monomers
TLT-class monomers which copolymerize with acrylates, acrylamide, styrene’s, vinyl esters, ethylene to produced copolymers with selectively cleavable linkages.
Process-compatible
Compatible with bulk, solution, emulsion, batch, semi-batch and continuous flow radical polymerization using standard industrial initiators.
Triggered degradation
Use of existing polymer production lines with no changes required to make degradable polymers.
Design objective
Maximise circularity with minimal impact on polymers physicochemical characteristics including processability, stability, and other mechanical metrics.
Related patent and academic literature
Preparation of degradable PE, EVA, and polyvinyl esters
Preparation of degradable styrenic and acrylic polymers
Investigation of on-demand polymer degradation
Thionolactone and thionoglycolide monomers for preparation of degradable polymers:
WO2021205123A1 Process for the radical polymerization of thionolactones or thionocarbonates
WO2023175121A1 Method for radical polymerisation of thionolactides