PotatoPlastic

Projects

PotatoPlastic

PotatoPlastic

Isolago - Indústria de Plásticos S.A., together with the University of Aveiro, intends to develop a biodegradable bioplastic compound using as raw material by-products not reused from the potato processing industries, such as washing waters, small potato fragments removed from cutting machines, peels, etc. The consortium chose as its main objective the improvement of bioplastic’s mechanical and physical and chemical properties. The incorporation of inorganic materials in the formulation, as well as the esterification of starch will also be studied.

The project is based on three fundamental steps:

1. Extraction, identification and quantification of by-products;

2. Production, characterization and operation of bioplastic compounds;

3. Bioplastic compounds production scale-up.

Objectives

Production of a biodegradable bioplastic based on potato by-products

Ensure bioplastics hydrophobicity

Incorporation of inorganic materials in bioplastic

Activities

Extraction and identification of constituents of potato by-products on a laboratory scale

Production and characterization of bioplastics based on potato by-products

Development of bioplastic compound formulations

Construction of prototypes

Promotion and dissemination of results

Results achieved

Through the PotatoPlastic project it was possible to develop a biodegradable bioplastic compound based on potato by-products. The project results were very satisfactory because it was possible to produce bioplastics, thus providing a solution to the by-products of this industry, allowing its reuse. The consortium considers that some characteristics of this compound should still be improved, in order to make it more competitive in relation to existing alternatives on the market. The realization of this innovative project allowed Isolago to take its first steps in the world of bioplastic compounds, a very promising and constantly growing market.