Starch-based biodegradable materials come out

On the 16th, the news from the Changchun Institute of Applied Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences revealed that a completely biodegradable material based on raw corn starch was successfully developed by the institute and passed the expert appraisal organized by the Science and Technology Department of Jilin Province. This integrated and innovative technology enables the process to achieve environmental protection. The products are fully biodegradable and the overall level is leading in China.

With the gradual depletion of oil resources and the continuous rise of environmental pressure, the search for sustainable resources has become one of the themes of human society's 21st century development. Plants convert solar energy into biomass through photosynthesis, and the full use of plant resources is the best way for sustainable development. Jilin Province is located in the golden corn belt and has obvious resource advantages. Using corn as raw material, through theoretical innovation and technological integration and innovation, the development of fully biodegradable materials and the preparation of one-off consumer products can meet people’s increasing consumption needs and meet the development strategy of “corn economy”, which is to promote agriculture. Planting structure adjustment, taking the "sustainable development" road, and governing "white pollution" are important measures.

With this as a goal, the Changchun Institute of Chemical Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences undertook the Jilin Province Science and Technology Development Program “Development and Development of Starch-Based Completely Biodegradable Materials” in 2002. After several years of hard work, researchers used raw corn starch as raw material, water as foaming agent, nanoparticle as foam nucleating agent, optimized combination of screw components of twin-screw extruder and special structure for forming mold. Designed and prepared a foam cushioning material and a disposable lunch box with a starch content of more than 80%.

According to reports, the density of foam prepared by them is adjustable in the range of 0.04 to 0.4 g/cm3. The disposable tableware is inspected by the National Environmental Protection Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Center and meets the requirements of GB18006.1-1999 "One-time degradable tableware testing conditions" standard. The request. In addition, the researcher also adopted a new type of plasticizer and used an electromagnetic dynamic blown film unit to enable the plasticization of starch to achieve a blown film of starch. The developed film has good light transmission and high strength.

Reprinted from: China Chemical News