Aerobic biodegradation of 3D printed biocomposites containing polylactic acid and industrial residual forest biomass
Abstract
This study investigates the biodegradation of 3D printed biocomposites under aerobic composting conditions. Biodegradable containers were prepared using forest biomass, wood ash (WA), wood sawdust (WS), and cellulose fiber (CF), as fillers and polylactic acid (PLA) as matrix and were processed via fused filament fabrication (FFF). Biodegradability tests were conducted in a laboratory-scale installation using the compost burial method for three months. Weight loss measurements were measured every 7 days throughout testing. The physicochemical and morphological properties of the samples were characterized. Of the biocomposites, PLA with 20 wt% wood sawdust showed the highest water absorption. The kinetic mechanisms followed typical Fickian diffusion behavior. The crystallinity improved with the addition of 20 wt% cellulose fibers. PLA degrades in a two-step process. Initially, temperature and moisture break down the PLA chains into lactic acid monomers. Subsequently, microorganisms in the compost convert these compounds into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. A 97 % PLA weight loss was achieved after 3 months, with added fillers decreasing the biodegradability rate. Cracks on the surface and color changes were noted. Microorganisms were observed to settle in the spaces between the layers created by 3D printing. Fourier transform infrared spectra, scanning electron microscope micrographs, and synchrotron X-ray microtomographs revealed a microbial biofilm layer on the sample surfaces. After biodegradation, biocomposites can serve as soil fertilizer. Therefore, 3D printed biodegradable containers offer eco-friendly solutions that help minimize agricultural plastic waste accumulation and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
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BibTeX
@article{helaoui2026aerobic,
title = {{Aerobic biodegradation of 3D printed biocomposites containing polylactic acid and industrial residual forest biomass}},
author = {Sarra Helaoui and Ahmed Koubaa and Hedi Nouri and Martin Beauregard and Sofiane Guessasma},
journal = {Chemosphere},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144608},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05795951v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Aerobic biodegradation of 3D printed biocomposites containing polylactic acid and industrial residual forest biomass
AU - Sarra Helaoui
AU - Ahmed Koubaa
AU - Hedi Nouri
AU - Martin Beauregard
AU - Sofiane Guessasma
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/12
JO - Chemosphere
DO - 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144608
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05795951v1
AB - This study investigates the biodegradation of 3D printed biocomposites under aerobic composting conditions. Biodegradable containers were prepared using forest biomass, wood ash (WA), wood sawdust (WS), and cellulose fiber (CF), as fillers and polylactic acid (PLA) as matrix and were processed via fused filament fabrication (FFF). Biodegradability tests were conducted in a laboratory-scale installation using the compost burial method for three months. Weight loss measurements were measured every 7 days throughout testing. The physicochemical and morphological properties of the samples were characterized. Of the biocomposites, PLA with 20 wt% wood sawdust showed the highest water absorption. The kinetic mechanisms followed typical Fickian diffusion behavior. The crystallinity improved with the addition of 20 wt% cellulose fibers. PLA degrades in a two-step process. Initially, temperature and moisture break down the PLA chains into lactic acid monomers. Subsequently, microorganisms in the compost convert these compounds into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. A 97 % PLA weight loss was achieved after 3 months, with added fillers decreasing the biodegradability rate. Cracks on the surface and color changes were noted. Microorganisms were observed to settle in the spaces between the layers created by 3D printing. Fourier transform infrared spectra, scanning electron microscope micrographs, and synchrotron X-ray microtomographs revealed a microbial biofilm layer on the sample surfaces. After biodegradation, biocomposites can serve as soil fertilizer. Therefore, 3D printed biodegradable containers offer eco-friendly solutions that help minimize agricultural plastic waste accumulation and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
SN - 0045-6535
SN - 1879-1298
ER -