Sustainable biodegradable packaging for single-use plastic alternatives

用于一次性塑料替代品的可持续生物降解包装

• 批准号: RGPIN-2021-03588
• 负责人: Misra, Manjusri
• 金额: $ 4.55万
• 依托单位: University of Guelph
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=752883
• 关键词: Sustainable; biodegradable; packaging; single; use

OBJECTIVES: My research program uniquely targets advancing the discovery of innovative biobased and biodegradable plastic blends and their biocomposites for sustainable packaging uses to reduce plastic waste. The long-term vision is to engineer novel materials with advanced properties including mechanical and high barrier performance to substitute single use petro based plastic packaging. The key focus is on incorporation of biobased carbon and agro residues into bioplastic matrices to produce multifunctional and affordable biocomposites with tunable properties for developing multilayer films and sheets for rigid and flexible packaging uses. Another distinct aspect of this proposal is to prepare tailored bioplastic formulations targeted for universal biodegradability in industrial and home compost, and marine environments. RESEARCH APPROACH AND INTELLECTUAL MERIT: Original aspects of the proposed program include: (i) development of novel biodegradable blends and biocomposites through innovative compatibilization, advanced polymer processing and addition of biofillers to achieve a stiffness-toughness balance for rigid and flexible packaging applications; (ii) production of biocarbons from variable heat treatment of agro-food residues to aid in gas barrier enhancement of composites; (iii) experimental design optimization of multilayer films and sheets to fabricate packaging materials with required mechanical properties, dimensional stability, barrier performance, and biodegradability. Studying processing-structure-property correlation and biodegradation parameters will be fundamental to the proposed research. EXPECTED RESULTS: The proposed research aims to create eco-friendly alternative packaging materials from renewable and waste resources with universal biodegradability to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing current single-use plastics. New knowledge on the effective utilization of under-valued materials, innovative bioplastic blends, and advanced process engineering to fabricate biodegradable formulations, will enable new approaches and ground-breaking solutions for the growing sustainable packaging sector. BROADER IMPACT AND EDUCATION: This leading-edge program will impart critical skills to diverse graduate and undergraduate students across disciplines for long-term impact. These efforts will advance the national agenda to develop sustainable biobased packaging for industrial adoption. The goal of the proposed application is to develop innovative plastic packaging from renewable and industrial waste-stream feedstocks. These new materials can help reduce plastic-based pollution, including landfills and marine environments, and to lower the carbon footprint of plastic packaging. Sustainable packaging is essential and will disruptively impact Canada's economic, environmental and employment outcomes, while providing safe alternatives to help manage single-use packaging waste, with implications for broader impact globally.

目标：我的研究计划的独特目标是推动创新型生物基和可生物降解塑料混合物及其生物复合材料的发现，用于可持续包装用途，以减少塑料废物。长期愿景是设计具有先进性能（包括机械和高阻隔性能）的新型材料，以替代一次性石油基塑料包装。重点是将生物基碳和农业残留物纳入生物塑料基质中，以生产多功能且经济实惠的生物复合材料，其性能可调，可用于开发用于刚性和柔性包装用途的多层薄膜和片材。该提案的另一个独特方面是制备定制的生物塑料配方，以实现工业和家庭堆肥以及海洋环境中的普遍生物降解性。研究方法和智力价值：拟议项目的原始方面包括：（i）通过创新增容、先进的聚合物加工和添加生物填料来开发新型可生物降解混合物和生物复合材料，以实现刚性和柔性包装应用的刚度-韧性平衡； (ii) 通过对农业食品残留物进行可变热处理来生产生物碳，以帮助增强复合材料的气体阻隔性； (iii) 多层薄膜和片材的实验设计优化，以制造具有所需机械性能、尺寸稳定性、阻隔性能和生物降解性的包装材料。研究加工-结构-性能相关性和生物降解参数将是本研究的基础。预期结果：拟议的研究旨在从可再生资源和废弃资源中创造出具有普遍生物降解性的环保替代包装材料，以通过替代当前的一次性塑料来帮助减少温室气体排放。关于有效利用价值被低估的材料、创新的生物塑料混合物以及先进的工艺工程来制造可生物降解配方的新知识，将为不断发展的可持续包装行业提供新的方法和突破性的解决方案。更广泛的影响和教育：这个领先的项目将为跨学科的不同研究生和本科生传授关键技能，以产生长期影响。这些努力将推进国家议程，开发可持续生物基包装以供工业采用。拟议应用的目标是利用可再生和工业废物原料开发创新的塑料包装。这些新材料可以帮助减少塑料污染，包括垃圾填埋场和海洋环境，并降低塑料包装的碳足迹。可持续包装至关重要，它将对加拿大的经济、环境和就业成果产生颠覆性影响，同时提供安全的替代品来帮助管理一次性包装废物，从而在全球范围内产生更广泛的影响。