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https://apnews.com/article/biobased-biodegradable-plastics-climate-compost-838fb5b4619e5020e3c01157a312a5d8>
"WOBURN, Mass. (
AP) — At a Massachusetts lab, pebble-sized pellets are
transformed into forks and films that won’t leave persistent microplastics in
the environment.
These are bioplastic pellets. CJ Biomaterials ferments sugar to make
plant-based polymers that microbes will consume. These alternatives to
traditional plastics made of fossil fuels are seen by some as one of many
solutions needed to confront global plastic pollution.
At the company’s Woburn research facility, lab technicians recently poured
pellets into a molding machine to make forks. The test forks were thin enough
for home composting, though too bendy for stabbing a steak. Other batches have
been rigid, similar to a typical plastic fork. The technicians melted pellets
to roll out flexible films for food packaging, like a bag for baby carrots. The
film was quite strong but not stretchy like cling wrap.
They are figuring out how their biopolymers can make products with attributes
similar to conventional plastics, but that can go in a composting bin instead
of a trash can. Forks and films are breaking down in the lab’s compost bin.
Straws that were added are long gone. A recently tossed-in knife showed pitting
on the surface as bacteria colonized it, starting to consume the material.
Plastics have never really fundamentally been disrupted. Now, interest in
bioplastic is growing because of concern over microplastics. It’s the new “wild
card” in this market, said the company’s marketing director Leah Ford.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time and the compostability has always been a
really strong driver. But with the greater understanding of microplastics, I
think, that’s going to change how people think about materials,” she said."
Via Susan ****
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
