Center for Crops Utilization Research

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Degradable and agriculturally-based plastics

Overview

CCUR researchers have begun a comprehensive program to identify the economic costs and environmental benefits associated with new degradable plastics. The goal is to find ways to produce functional, affordable, and environmentally safe products.

Other efforts are focusing on the development of corn- and soy-based degradable materials that can be used alone or in combination with petroleum-derived polymers. This research includes examining how different processing conditions affect the physical properties of the materials and the environmental behavior of the degraded plastic products.

The CCUR degradable plastics program has worked to improve the properties and environmental benefits associated with new degradable plastics using soy protein as the primary component of the polymer matrix. The goal was to find ways to produce functional, affordable, and environmentally safe products. Other efforts focused on the development of corn- and soy-based degradable materials to be used alone or in combination with petroleum-derived polymers. This research included examining how different processing conditions affected the physical properties of the materials and the environmental behavior of the degraded plastic products.

This work has resulted in the development of protocols for processing protein isolates, concentrates and flours, using conventional processing methodologies that include extrusion and compression and injection molding. Iowa State University recently granted an exclusive right of commercialization license, concerning the patented research to Soy Works, Woodridge, IL, to market and promote this technology.

Additionally, a highway lane marker is now being field tested by the Iowa Department of Transportation. These new degradable lane markers are an environmentally friendly and disposable alternative that eliminates the labor-intensive need to remove fixed markers before the snow plowing season.

In related projects, researchers are isolating microorganisms that successfully attack and degrade biodegradable plastics containing cornstarch. Some are being selected for further isolation and testing in laboratory compost simulations and outdoor demonstration projects. The most favorable candidates are being tested in mixed and pure-culture formulations to decompose commercial and experimental biodegradable films. This aspect of the research has resulted in national procedural standards by which degradable plastic materials are evaluated.