Articles tagged with "bioplastics"
Scientists to make plastics with crop waste for use in medical products
Researchers at the University of Oldenburg in Germany are developing a cost-effective, energy-efficient technology to produce fully biodegradable plastics from organic waste such as crop residues, hay, and algae. Their focus is on creating polybutylene succinate (PBS)-based plastics, which share similar robustness and processability with conventional plastics like polypropylene and polyethylene but have the significant advantage of being biodegradable. The project, supported by the university’s strong research infrastructure, aims to offer renewable raw material-based plastics as an industrially viable alternative, contributing to an environmentally friendly circular economy. The research involves three sub-projects: optimizing the fermentation process to convert biological substrates into Bio-PBS using microorganisms; improving downstream processing to remove contaminants and convert n-butanol into 1,4-butanediol, a key raw material for plastics; and refining the technology further, including developing a new chemical substance to produce fully biodegradable PBS. The team plans to use simulations and machine learning to enhance material and energy efficiency and intends to utilize production
materialsbiodegradable-plasticsbio-based-materialsfermentation-processrenewable-raw-materialscircular-economybioplasticsChina's bamboo plastic with mechanical strength biodegrades in 50 days
Researchers at China’s Northeast Forestry University have developed a novel bamboo-based bioplastic that combines exceptional mechanical strength with rapid biodegradability. This new material, produced through a non-toxic, alcohol solvent-based process that dissolves and reorganizes bamboo cellulose at the molecular level, exhibits tensile strength of 110 MPa and a flexural modulus of 6.41 GPa, outperforming many commercial plastics such as polylactic acid and high-impact polystyrene. It also offers superior thermal stability above 180 °C and can be processed using conventional industrial techniques like injection molding and machining. Unlike traditional bamboo composite plastics, which often have inferior mechanical properties and incomplete biodegradability due to their fiber-resin composition, this bamboo molecular plastic fully biodegrades in soil within 50 days and supports closed-loop recycling with 90% retention of strength. Published in Nature Communications, the research highlights the material’s potential as a sustainable, high-performance alternative to oil-based plastics, addressing both environmental concerns and industrial application demands
materialsbiodegradable-plasticsbamboo-plasticsustainable-materialsbioplasticsmechanical-strengththermal-stabilityEngineers grow edible plastic from useless junk using yeast-like fungus
Biophelion, a German biotech startup spun off from the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, has developed an innovative biotechnological process that uses a black yeast-like fungus to convert carbon-rich industrial waste into valuable, recyclable materials. This fungus, notable for thriving in extreme and toxic environments, metabolizes waste streams from industries such as bioethanol production, sugar processing, and paper manufacturing, transforming embedded carbon into useful compounds rather than allowing it to escape as CO2. The startup’s approach aims to decarbonize the chemical industry—a significant global CO2 emitter—by producing bio-based polyester for packaging, the edible polymer pullulan used in food, and a novel biodegradable surfactant still under research. Biophelion is exploring novel applications for these materials, including using pullulan as a sustainable 3D printing material to potentially replace petroleum-based plastics in additive manufacturing. Long-term visions include producing 3D-printed bioreactors from pullulan that could
materialssustainable-materialsbioplasticsfungal-bioprocessingindustrial-waste-recyclingbiodegradable-polymerscircular-economyScientists engineer enzymes to turn crops into recyclable bioplastics
Researchers at Purdue University, supported by a $7 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation, are engineering novel enzymes to convert crops like corn and sugar, as well as agricultural waste, into recyclable bioplastics called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). These bioplastics aim to match the toughness and malleability of conventional petroleum-based plastics while being biodegradable and infinitely recyclable. By using domestically sourced feedstocks, the project also seeks to reduce reliance on imported petrochemicals and strengthen U.S. supply chains. The team is focusing on overcoming the limitations of PHAs, which historically have been fragile and unstable at high temperatures, restricting their use in consumer and medical products. The approach involves tuning the chemical structure of PHAs to enhance their strength and thermal stability through biocatalysis—using engineered enzymes to drive specific chemical reactions efficiently and sustainably. Collaborators from several universities are contributing expertise in enzyme selection, engineering via deep learning, functional testing, and commercialization potential.
bioplasticsenzymesbiodegradable-plasticssustainable-materialsagricultural-wastepolymer-engineeringrenewable-resourcesScientists take leaf out of nature’s book to reinvent plastic
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a novel biodegradable plastic called LEAFF (Layered, Ecological, Advanced, and multi-Functional Film) inspired by the structure of a leaf. By embedding cellulose nanofibers between two layers of bioplastic, LEAFF overcomes common limitations of existing bioplastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), which typically lack durability and require industrial composting to degrade. LEAFF not only matches but exceeds the tensile strength of conventional petroleum-based plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene. Additionally, its multilayer design improves food shelf life by reducing water and air permeability, and its printable surface eliminates the need for separate labels, reducing packaging costs. The innovation also aligns with circular economy principles, as the research team is exploring ways to produce LEAFF feedstocks from agricultural waste products like corn fermentation residues, lignin, and even carbon dioxide. This approach could help address the U.S. waste problem
bioplasticsbiodegradable-materialssustainable-packagingcellulose-nanofiberscircular-economyrenewable-materialsenvironmental-engineeringMIT unveils 3D printer that turns food scraps into household items
Researchers at MIT have developed the FOODres.AI Printer, a novel 3D printer that transforms food waste—such as banana peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, and flower stems—into useful household items like coffee mugs, coasters, and small bowls. The process begins with users photographing their food scraps via a companion app that employs AI-powered image recognition to identify the waste type. The app then suggests printable object designs, and the printer converts the food waste into a bioplastic paste with natural additives. Using a heated extruder system, the printer shapes the paste into the selected item, making the technology accessible even to those without prior 3D printing experience. This innovation addresses the significant environmental issue of food waste, which in the U.S. amounted to 66 million tons in 2019, much of which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions when sent to landfills. By enabling households and communities to repurpose scraps into functional goods, the FOODres.AI Printer promotes a circular
3D-printingsustainable-materialsbioplasticsfood-waste-recyclingcircular-economyAI-in-manufacturingeco-friendly-technologyScientists create compostable food packaging that leaves no trace
Scientists at Murdoch University in Western Australia have developed a new type of bioplastic that is fully compostable and leaves no environmental trace, addressing the growing problem of plastic pollution. By harnessing native microbes from local environments, the researchers produce a natural polymer called PHB, which microbes store as excess organic molecules. Unlike conventional plastics that break down into harmful microplastics, this bioplastic naturally degrades in soil and water, eliminating long-term contamination risks. The innovation is particularly aimed at creating compostable linings for recycled paper or cardboard food packaging, a sector where over 80% of single-use plastics currently end up in landfills due to lack of recyclability. This research is part of the Bioplastics Innovation Hub, a collaboration between Murdoch University and CSIRO, combining expertise in microbiology, genetics, and engineering to develop sustainable packaging solutions. The team envisions widespread adoption of bioplastics in households as part of a circular economy, aligning with Western Australia’s 10-Year Science
materialsbioplasticscompostable-packagingbiodegradable-plasticssustainable-materialseco-friendly-packagingplastic-alternativesScientists grow algae in Mars-like conditions inside bioplastic pods
Researchers at Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have successfully grown green algae (Dunaliella tertiolecta) inside bioplastic pods designed to simulate Mars-like conditions. The team recreated Mars’ thin atmosphere, with pressure over 100 times lower than Earth’s, and used 3D-printed chambers made from polylactic acid bioplastic. These chambers effectively blocked harmful UV radiation while allowing enough light for photosynthesis. Despite the low atmospheric pressure that typically prevents liquid water from existing, the pods maintained a pressure gradient stabilizing water, enabling algae survival in a harsh, carbon dioxide-rich environment. This breakthrough suggests the potential for creating self-sustaining, closed-loop habitats on Mars, where bioplastic shelters could grow algae that in turn produce more bioplastic, enabling habitats to maintain and expand themselves over time. This biomaterial approach contrasts with traditional, resource-intensive construction methods by mimicking natural growth processes. Combined with previous innovations like silica aerogels to address
materialsbioplasticsalgaeMars-habitatsustainable-materialsspace-colonizationenvironmental-engineering