Title : Sustainable and biodegradable hydrophobic innovative bioplastic made from agricultural by- product
Abstract:
In 2022, the global capacity for bioplastic production reached 2.22 million tonnes. That year, the worldwide production of bio-based and partially bio-based plastics amounted to approximately 2.23 million tonnes. By 2027, this is projected to rise to about 6.3 million tonnes. However, the annual production of petroleum-based plastics now exceeds 380 million tonnes. The petrochemical cannot be broken down in the environment, harming aquatic life, and animals, and producing toxic chemicals as a result. Bioplastic polymers are an excellent replacement for conventional plastics in terms of the environment, economy, non-toxic products, social awareness, and agriculture. Biopolymeric materials are increasingly recognized for their sustainability, serving as viable alternatives to conventional petrochemical plastics. The adoption of bioplastic packaging significantly addresses environmental concerns and supports ecosystems. Biodegradable plastics are gaining prominence in various sectors, notably in liquid-based industries such as beverages, which include water, soft drinks, and alcoholic products with bioplastic packaging. Currently, many companies are exploring the potential of bioplastic materials to utilize agricultural waste effectively, thereby contributing to the reduction of air pollution and enhancing environmental stewardship.
Agricultural by-products are renewable and natural polymers and have been widely used to fabricate biodegradable plastics, showing the potential to replace synthetic plastics for various applications in the last decades. An effective strategy is to make alternative packaging material that is easily biodegradable and controls plastic pollution, which creates awareness among people about plastic manure after degradation in the soil. Our Proposal: The objective of this work was to evaluate the different natural polymer content influences on the physicochemical properties of bioplastic films manufactured by the casting and extrusion method. The tensile properties were improved after adding agricultural by-product formulation with synthetic polymer (28MPa to 34MPa). However, water absorption and water solubility were reduced. Based on these results, the best sample was analysed for thickness testing, SEM, hydrophilicity, and thermal properties. From the results obtained, agricultural by-products may be considered a promising alternative for food packaging development.
