Plastics, derived mainly from petrochemicals, have a large carbon footprint and contribute to 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. They are also a major source of pollution, as they take a long time to decompose. By 2050, there could be more plastic in the oceans than fish.
Japan, the second-largest consumer of plastics per capita, has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Kanazawa University is spearheading a government-funded initiative called COI-NEXT, focused on utilizing cellulose to develop bioplastics.
Bioplastics are a diverse group of materials that can be produced with low emissions and derived from renewable plant resources. Some bioplastics are created using microbes, but their biodegradability varies. It's important to note that materials made from petrochemicals, which can biodegrade faster than conventional plastics, are also sometimes classified as bioplastics.
Cele mai multe bioplastice pe bază de plante sunt fabricate din amidon, obținut din produse care ar putea fi folosite ca hrană. Acest lucru poate duce la concurență cu sursele de hrană și poate contribui la poluarea cu îngrășăminte. Cercetătorii din Japonia explorează din ce în ce mai mult celuloza ca alternativă pentru producția de bioplastic. Bioplasticele realizate din nanofibre de celuloză sunt mai rezistente și pot avea aplicații în domeniul pieselor auto, al mobilierului de birou, etc.
The raw materials for cellulose-derived bioplastics are usually cotton and wood pulp, but researchers are also exploring the use of agricultural waste like banana stems and sugar beet pulp. Processing cellulose from these crops is more challenging compared to wood pulp. Japanese scientists are are pioneering research on 'ionic liquids,' which are melted salts used as solvents to extract cellulose from agricultural waste without the need for corrosive chemicals and are also researching the use of bacterially-derived cellulose nanofibre lattices made from the same agricultural waste.
Car manufacturers are beginning to view cellulose nanofibers as comparable to carbon fibers, as they can help reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency. At the Tokyo Motor Show in early 2020, an experimental vehicle commissioned by Japan's Ministry of the Environment was made of composite materials containing cellulose nanofibers.
Source: Nature