Researchers have achieved a breakthrough by creating 100% biodegradable plastic from barley, potentially revolutionizing food packaging.
This innovation comes at a crucial time, as only about 9% of plastic is recycled globally, with the rest incinerated, dumped in landfills, or polluting the environment.
Plastics, prized for their durability and low cost, are used extensively across industries, from packaging to clothing to aircraft parts. However, their widespread use has severe environmental and health implications. Microplastics have been found in food and air, posing risks such as insulin resistance, decreased reproductive health, and cancer, according to the United Nations Development Programme. The University of Copenhagen reports that most plastic waste ends up in nature or vast landfills.
Scientists from the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences have developed a new 'biocomposite' material made from barley and other natural substances. This material is not only durable and flexible but also fully decomposes in nature within just two months, making it ideal for applications such as food packaging.
Professor Andreas Blennow, who led the research, emphasized the need for this innovation due to the failure of recycling to address the plastic waste crisis. He explained that their bioplastic is stronger and more water-resistant than current bioplastics, and it can be entirely converted into compost by microorganisms if discarded improperly. "We've developed a new type of bioplastic that is stronger and can better withstand water than current bioplastics," said Professor Blennow.
The new material’s primary components, amylose, and cellulose, are widely available in the plant kingdom. Amylose can be extracted from crops like corn, potatoes, wheat, and barley, while the cellulose used by the researchers is derived from local sugar industry waste.
One of the significant advantages of this new bioplastic is its complete biodegradability, a stark contrast to existing bioplastics that often require specialized conditions to break down and can still leave behind microplastics. "Specialized facilities are needed to break down bioplastics. And even then, a very limited part of them can be recycled, with the rest ending up as waste," noted Professor Blennow.
The researchers are already partnering with two Danish packaging companies to develop prototypes for food packaging and other uses.
Professor Blennow is optimistic about the future, anticipating that prototypes for various packaging types, including trays, bottles, and bags, could be developed within one to five years. "It's quite close to the point where we can really start producing prototypes in collaboration with our research team and companies," he added.