Approaches to Enhance the Properties of Bioplastics Derived from Sustainable Resources
Science / Life Sciences
Over 90% of plastic packaging used in the food industry is derived from non-renewable fossil fuels, which take a long time to degrade, inflicting considerable harm on the environment. However, many polymers, derived from agricultural by-products like proteins and carbohydrates, can be utilized to create renewable and biodegradable packaging.
The commercial application of these bioplastics is currently limited, primarily due to their inadequate mechanical and barrier properties. This project aims to employ various strategies to enhance the properties of these sustainable and biodegradable polymers, making them comparable to the synthetic polymers used in the food industry. To achieve this, technologies such as plasma, ultraviolet light, chemical odifications, and the incorporation of additives will be applied to the bioplastics produced.
