Location: Plant Polymer Research
Project Number: 5010-30600-013-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Aug 7, 2025
End Date: Aug 6, 2030
Objective:
Objective 1-Enable biodegradable, agro-based products using new chemical and/or physical processing techniques.
Objective 2: Enable commercialization of cost and performance competitive thermoplastic bioplastics/biocomposites to complement petrochemical counterparts.
Objective 3: Enable commercial production of value-added products of micro/nano-sized lignin and celluloses from various agricultural wastes.
Approach:
This research will design improved food packaging materials from agricultural-based and renewable-sourced materials using novel formulations, processing, chemical modifications, and testing to produce new and improved biodegradable food packaging materials (e.g., films, trays, containers) and coatings. These packaging products are intended to protect and enhance food products, eliminate or reduce pathogens, extend shelf-life, and reduce food waste. The research will also create enhanced bioplastics and biocomposites by combining natural or bio-based agricultural materials with synthetic polymers. These new materials are expected to have improved performance and reduced cost compared with existing thermoplastics. Lastly, this research will develop new nanotechnologies to convert plant materials to microscopic particles that can be used to enhance properties of thermoplastic.
Researchers will work closely with industrial partners, stakeholders, and customers to ensure that these goals are compatible with market needs and to facilitate commercialization of these products. By focusing on several key steps, the commercialization of these biobased products can be facilitated in various applications. Overall, this research will lead to agricultural-based polymer products with new or improved properties that are sustainable, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and more acceptable to consumer markets by adopting circular bio-economy strategies. It will also generate innovative agro-based technologies enabling new market opportunities for agricultural products. Thus, this research will widen the application space for agricultural materials, thereby increasing the demand, value, and utility of agricultural products.