Bioplastic Container Cropping Systems
Materials Overview
James Schrader - Iowa State University
Round-1 Prototypes of
Bioplastics and Biocomposites
20  Injection molded
10 Coated fiber
Soy-Protein Based
Carbohydrate Based
PHA and PLA
polymers and composites
Dip-coated
Fiber Containers
• Paper, Coir, or Wood
• Bioplastic coatings
PLA = Polylactic Acid
• Ingeo™ from NatureWorks LLC
http://www.natureworksllc.com
PHA = Polyhydroxyalkanoate
• Mirel™ from Metabolix, Inc.
http://www.metabolix.com
Polyamide
• Uni-Rez™ from Arizona Chemical
http://www.arizonachemical.com
PUR = Polyurethane
• CUR 99 from Alberdingk Boley
http://www.alberdingkusa.com
Conclusions from Round 1
• Injection-molded bioplastics function as well as or better
than petroleum plastic for crop containers.
• Many of the bioplastics and biocomposites degrade in
soil under normal landscape conditions.
• Soy-based bioplastics release nitrogen and produce a
fertilizer effect. They also improve root morphology.
• Soy-based polymers must be blended with another
biopolymer to improve durability and control the
fertilizer effect
Fertilizer Effect ~ Root Improvement
@ 6 weeks
200 mL / week
150 ppm N
Conclusions from Round 1
• Adding bio-based fibers improves processability,
function, and degradation of injection-molded
bioplastics - and decreases cost.
• Coating fiber containers with bioplastics improves
water-use efficiency and improves their function to
resemble that of petroleum-plastic
• Bioplastic and biocomposite plant containers should be
cost competitive with petroleum-plastic containers.
Round 2
- The Present Round
“Improving and evaluating best 15 types from round 1”
• 19 total bioplastics and biocomposites
• 4.5” and Gallon - sized containers
Materials
in Round 2in Round
Container
Materials
Evaluated
2
Container ID # Injec/on Molded Fiber Containers 1 2 3 4 8 9 20 23 24 6 10 11 13 19 Ingeo PLA Blends and Composites PHA + Soy (67/33) PHA & DDGS (80/20) PHA & Lignin (80/20) PHA + Starch (90/10, Mirel P1008) PHA + Cellulose (Aspen Research) PolyAmide Blends and Composites Coated Fiber Containers 27 28 29 4.5" 4.5" 4.5" 4.5" 4.5" 4.5" 4.5" 4.5" 4.5" 4.5" 4.5" 4.5" 4.5" 4.5" 4.5" 4.5" Mirel PHA Blends and Composites PolyAmide & DDGS (70/30) PolyAmide + PLA (70/30) PLA + Soy (50/50) PLA + Soy (67/33) PLA + Soy & DDGS (60/30/10) PLA + Soy & Lignin (60/30/10) PLA & DDGS (80/20) PLA & Lignin (80/20) PLA -­‐ Protein Compound (Aspen Research) Recycled PLA # 1 (Aspen Research) Recycled PLA # 2 (Aspen Research) 14 17 25 26 Petroleum Plas9c Controls Polypropylene (Standard for 4.5”) HDPE (Standard for Gallon) Paper-­‐fiber (Polyurethane) (ONE COAT) Paper-­‐fiber (Polyurethane) (TWO COATS) Paper-­‐fiber (UNCOATED Control) Totals: 16 Gallon Gallon Gallon Gallon Gallon Gallon Gallon Gallon Gallon Gallon 10 Material Characterization
Processability Evaluations
Greenhouse and Nursery Trials
Landscape Evaluations
• Container removed, crushed, and buried beneath roots
Biodegradation
in Soil
Categories of Biocontainers
1. Containers biodegradable in soil (within a timeline of 1 to 2 years)
2. Containers not degradable in soil, but degradable by
composting
3. Exceptional or durable containers that can be recycled
- or will be carbon-negative if landfilled
- carbon neutral if incinerated
Questions ?