The objective of this study was to gain a deep understanding of composition and compatibilization effects on the properties of entirely sustainably sourced polymer blends based on polylactide (PLA) and polyamide 11 (PA11). Generally, PLA cannot challenge regular commodity polymers due to its weak thermo-mechanical properties and its poor elongation properties. With this work, however, we present a promising route to overcome these drawbacks in order to enhance the processability of PLA: blending the polymer with various compositions of other ductile biopolymers such as PA11, as well as mixing PLA/PA11 blends with various amounts of a chain extender, Joncryl ADR^®-4368, containing reactive epoxy functions, in a laboratory-scale twin-screw extruder. The effects on the rheological, morphological and mechanical properties were investigated. Results showed that a “self compatibilization” between PLA and PA11 chains can occur but it was found to be insufficient, contrary to recent work reported in the literature. The role of Joncryl as a compatibilizer for the PLA/PA11 system has been demonstrated by the significant decrease of particle size and interfacial tension as well as the improvement of ductile properties. Moreover, a new relaxation peak appeared in the relaxation spectrum, indicating the generation of a copolymer at the polymer-polymer interface.

In a circular economy context with the dual problems of depletion of natural resources and the environmental impact of a growing volume of wastes, it is of great importance to focus on the recycling process of multilayered plastic films. This review is dedicated first to the general concepts and summary of plastic waste management in general, making emphasis on the multilayer films recycling process. Then, in the second part, the focus is dealing with multilayer films manufacturing process, including the most common materials used for agricultural applications, their processing, and the challenges of their recycling, recyclability, and reuse. Hitherto, some prospects are discussed from eco-design to mechanical or chemical recycling approaches.

This study was dedicated to the blown film extrusion of poly(lactic acid), which mainly presents poor shear and elongation viscosities, and its blends. In order to enhance its melt strength, two main routes were selected (i) a structural modification through chain extension and branching mechanisms by adding a reactive multifunctional epoxide (named Joncryl) and (ii) blending with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephtalate), named PBAT in presence (or not) of Joncryl. The effects of the reactive agent on the shear and elongation rheology, morphological, and interfacial properties of the blends were systematically investigated. A decrease of the interfacial tension has been also demonstrated according to the deformed drop retraction method (DDRM). Hence, the role of Joncryl as a compatibilizer was highlighted. Consequently, finer morphology of the dispersed phase was obtained. Furthermore, the impact of the two modification routes on the blown film extrusion ability of PLA has been studied. Based on the improved shear and elongational rheological properties, a great enlargement of the blowing processing window of PLA modified with Joncryl was demonstrated. Indeed, with the addition of Joncryl into PLA–PBAT blends, a reduction of the instability defects has been detected. Finally, the induced crystalline structure and the thermo-mechanical properties of blown films were shown to be improved.