Students of the Higher School of Biotechnology (HBS) of Samara Polytechnic University – Vadim Sabantsev, Yaroslav Suchugov, Kirill Teskin and Ivan Seredkin – are developing biodegradable packaging that can decompose in moist soil in just three days. This product is made using food waste, which will help reduce the environmental burden.
The main packaging material is potato starch. However, the original plastic obtained from it has an unstable structure that needs to be strengthened to ensure durability when in contact with water. To do this, glycerin is added to the composition as a plasticizer, along with distilled water, table water, acetic acid and beer grains, which are the main waste of beer production.
Experts process the components to create a thin layer, which is then dried at high temperatures and the edges are sealed. Such packaging can hold up to 10 kg and contain products with high moisture content, such as milk or kefir. According to team members, the potential for a plastic alternative that is fully biodegradable and leaves no harmful traces in nature is clear.
Source: Ferra
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