The concern for the environment and sustainability has intensified the search for alternative materials to replace non-degradable plastics. Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is a bioplastic that has been extensively studied due to its excellent mechanical properties, which are similar to those of low-density poly(ethylene) (LDPE). However, the high cost of this polymer still hinders its wider application. Among the different approaches that have been studied, blending PBAT with thermoplastic starch (TPS) could be an interesting solution to reduce the cost of the material and increase the degradability of the blends. This review covers most of the work reported in recent years on PBAT/TPS blends, including the effects of starch plasticizers, starch modifications, processing methods, use of chain extenders, various compatibilizers, and additives used for different applications.

Polymers generally form incompatible mixtures that make the process of recycling difficult, especially the mechanical recycling of mixed plastic waste. One of the most commonly used films in the packaging industry is multilayer films, mainly composed of polyethylene (PE) and polyamide (PA). Recycling these materials with such different molecular structures requires the use of compatibilizers to minimize phase separation and obtain more useful recycled materials. In this work, commercial polyisoprene–graft–maleic anhydride (PI-g-MA) was tested as a compatibilizer for a blend of PE and PA derived from the mechanical recycling of PE/PA multilayer films. Different amounts of PI-g-MA were tested, and the films made with 1.5% PI-g-MA showed the best results in terms of mechanical properties and dart impact. The films were also characterized thermally via thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and morphologically using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Other parameters, such as tearing and perforation, were analyzed.