The development of sustainable polymers and processing techniques is an exciting research area driven by greater awareness of the impact of manufacturing processes and waste disposal strategies. Sustainable development involves the quest for an economy that is in equilibrium with the earth's resources and natural ecosystems, and to achieve this in manufacturing, products must be designed to minimise environmental disturbance. For companies designing, using or producing polymers, sustainability is achieved through 6 major principles:
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Reduce - reduce the amount of plastics used e.g. thinner wall sections in detergent refill packs
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Reuse - e.g. shopping bags reused as bin liners, ice cream containers reused for freezing food
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Recover - Convert waste plastics into energy or chemicals
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Recycle - Collection, separation and reprocessing of plastics, typically into secondary products
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Renewable - Plastics made from renewable resources such as cellulose, corn starch, lignin and chitin
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Sustainable processing - Reducing the energy and waste streams in plastics processing.
The University of Queensland (UQ) have been involved in a number of these areas through The Centre for High Performance Polymers (CHPP) and some examples of research activities and expertise in sustainable polymers and processing are given below:
Renewable – Water Soluble polymers from corn starch
The CHPP developed Australia's first commercially produced thermoplastic starch biopolymers made from corn starch, a natural material, and these new materials are biodegradable, non-toxic, GM free and compostable. The IP generated was used to form Plantic Technologies Ltd, winning a CRC Technology Transfer Award in 2002, and which has gone on to develop many new products. Cadburys and Marks & Spencers now utilise Plantic packaging in their confectionery packs. When no longer required the trays can be held under a tap and dissolve away harmlessly. New biodegradable plastic containers for dengue fever ovitraps were also developed which degrade under the influence of sunlight to provide a 5 week life, thus removing the need for EPA staff to collect the redundant containers.
Reduce – Nanocomposites for rotomoulding
Rotomoulding produces many household objects including water tanks, toys, and marine components. Around 90% of rotomolded parts are made from polyethylene which effectively limits applications by the properties of PE. In an IR&D start project [now AusIndustry] UQ, QMI Solutions and ARMA worked jointly to extend the range of applications for rotomolded products by developing PE nanocomposites to enable thinner, stronger water tanks to be produced.
Recycle – Sustainable films for agriculture
Novel photodegradable agricultural films are being investigated in a project within the CRC Polymers. This project [with partners at QUT, ANSTO, Integrated Packaging and Birchip Cropping Group] is focusing on developing new photodegradable films that will enhance crop production and quality by providing more control over the microclimate under the film.
Renewable and Recyclable – Lignin coatings
Food and beverage manufacturers are dependent on non-recyclable petroleum based wax-coated paper and cardboard packaging to store and transport goods. The untapped/green potential of sugarcane biomass to produce fully recyclable, waterproof paperboard could cut billions of tonnes of landfill around the world. In the CRC Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology (CRC SIIB) novel lignin coatings have been investigated through new extraction, modification and coating methods. This work is revealing how we may actually use more of the sugarcane plant for sustainable manufacturing and energy production of which waterproof cardboard might provide just one very promising commercial option.
Sustainable Processing– Reduced energy usage through novel CO2 processing
Work in collaboration with Queens University Belfast (QUB) has been initiated on the use of CO2 plasticisation to conventional polymer extrusion. CO2 addition significantly lowers processing temperatures (and thus energy requirements) in polymer processes, and also has been show to improve mixing and distribution of additives and nanocomposites. A focus of this work will be improved mixing in filled polymer systems and composites, but also the development of novel biomedical polymers with active drug components (that are able to be processed at lower temperatures that will not harm the active components).
Future research activities will continue to be on sustainable processes and products, given the global focus on sustainability and its links to future economies and ecosystems, it is expected that translational polymer research projects, such as the ones described here, will be in high demand for development of the next generation of materials, processes and products. With CHPP's track record of working with end users in developing new IP and products, what could they do for your organisation?
If you would like to discuss any of these research activities in more detail please contact either Dr Sara Eastwood at QMI Solutions, or contact the CHPP Centre Director directly, Professor Peter Halley on (07) 3346 3881 or p.halley@uq.edu.au
QMI Solutions is constantly seeking innovation in process technology to meet the needs of Queensland manufacturers. For further information please contact Dr Sara Eastwood, Program Manager – Technology Development.