New Research Unveils Technology to Convert Wood Into Bioplastics

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Recent research has unveiled a new technology by which wood byproducts are used to produce durable and sustainable bioplastics. The study was published in Nature Sustainability, which is a leading publisher of significant original research from a broad range of natural, social and engineering fields.

The study outlines the process of deconstructing the porous matrix of natural wood into a slurry. The researchers used a wood powder and deconstructed the loose, porous structure of the powder with a biodegradable and recyclable deep eutectic solvent. The resulting mixture could be cast and rolled without breaking, especially due to its high solid content and high viscosity.

The environmental impacts of the bioplastics were tested via a comprehensive life cycle assessment. Studies proved that the bioplastics degraded completely after a period of three months. In addition, it could also be broken back down into the slurry by mechanical stirring. The bioplastics can be molded into a film that can be used in plastic bags and packaging. Furthermore, it has the potential to be used in automobile manufacturing, because of its ability to be molded into different shapes.

Reportedly, the research team is currently focused on investigating the potential impacts on forests, upon scaling up the production of these bioplastics.

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

Scientists Develop a Novel CO2-to-Plastic Conversion Technology

Tech Company Explains Process to Convert Plastics into Chemicals