By USDA AFRI Grant no. 2011-67009-30055

Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education Programs

BIOENERGY AND BIOPRODUCTS

http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=oil_refining

Importance of Polymers

Plastic is in a lot of stuff!

What are some of the consequences of the throw away culture?

What happens to single use plastic products after we dispose of them?

Plastic Bottles Plastic Bags

Plastic does not biodegrade

Landfills

Where does it all end up?

Accumulates in ecosystems

Accumulates in municipalities

Accumulates in local water sources

Great Pacific Garbage Patch

1. Public acceptance to bioproducts

March 31, 2011 USDA News

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan unveiled today the first 60 products that consumers will soon see in stores throughout the country bearing the new USDA BioPreferred product label for certified biobased products

% of renewable material

BioProducts

Benefits of BioProducts

Environmental

Factors

• Renewable

• Carbon Neutral

• Local Production

• Biodegradable, Environmentally Compatible

• Green Chemistry, Reduced Toxicity

• Lower Energy Requirements

Environmental

Factors

• Renewable

• Carbon Neutral

• Local Production

• Biodegradable, Environmentally Compatible

• Green Chemistry, Reduced Toxicity

• Lower Energy Requirements

Bioproducts

Bioproducts:

• Household cleaners

• Paints and stains

• Personal care items

• Plastic bottles & containers

• Packaging materials

• Office supplies

• Soaps & detergents

• Lubricants

• Clothing

• Plates, napkins, cutlery

• Building materials

Source: OBIC

The most well-known plant resources tend to be soybeans and corn; however, bioproducts are not limited to just those plant resources.  Below is a brief list of plant resources that can be used in the creation of bioproducts:

•Sunflowers

•Canola

•Miscanthus

•Mycelium (vegetative part of fungus)

•Switchgrass

•Algae

•Forest-derived materials

•Sugarcane

• Flax

•Potatoes

•Wheat

Source: OBIC

Benefits of bioproducts

BiofuelsBioplastics & polymers Natural rubber & resinsBiocompositesBiomedicines Biochemicals

Bioproducts shared 12% of target chemicals in 2010. Projected to 25% in 2030.

Benefits

Petro-independence Carbon neutral Biodegradable Non/less toxic Green jobs Bioeconomy

Biopolymers

Synthetic polymers

Synthetic rubber, nylon, PVC, polystyrene, polyethylene, silicone, polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, …

Biopolymers

Polylactic acid (PLA), zein, rubber (polyisoprene), poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, fiber (cellulose)

Petro-based, non-biodegradable

Bio-based, carbon neutralBiodegradable, compostable

Decompose to undistinguishable under nat. conditions in 5 yrs>60% C to CO2 within 180 d under ind. composting conditions

Polystyrene is a long chain of many styrene units

Synthetic plastics & polymers

Starch is a long chain of many glucose units

Polyester derived from plant starch or sugar

Starch→ lactic acid→ dilactate ester→ PLA

Glass transition T: 62ºCMelting point: 175ºC

Used for bioplastics to make biodegradable cups, food packing, table wares, woven shirts, and shrink wraps

Polylactic acid (PLA)

Polyester derived from plant starch or sugar

Starch→ lactic acid→ dilactate ester→ PLA

Glass transition T: 62ºCMelting point: 175ºC

Used for bioplastics to make biodegradable cups, food packing, table wares, woven shirts, and shrink wraps

Polylactic acid (PLA)

Degradability of PLA products

Changes of a PLA bottle in 35 d composting

Degradability of PLA products

Decomposition of a PLA lid after 35 d composting

Cellophane

Derived from plant cellulose

Wood →alkali bath →acid bath →glycerin bath

Cellophane packing

Low permeability to air, oils, greases, and bacteria

Used for food packing, cigar packing, self-adhesive tapes, semi-permeable membranes

Zein

Prolamine protein from maize gluten meal

Odorless, tasteless, hard, water-insoluble, and edible

Used as a coating for candy, nuts, fruit, pills, paper cup & drug capsules, cap lining, cloth fabric, button, and a gum substitute

Natural rubber

Polyisoprene refined from latex

Used for manufacturing tires & tubes, gloves, balloons, adhesives, pencil erasers, rubber bands, rain boots, & window profiles

Latex from a Para rubber tree

Bio-based adhesives

Starch-based bioadhesives

Made from starch

Uses Glue labels & board Binders for paints For primering For construction materials Sticky tapes

Water-based

Hot-melt

Protein-based bioadhesives

Made from gelatin

Water-resistantStrongNontoxic

Jelly glue

Uses Bookbinding Paper converting Assembly Packaging

Other bioadhesives

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How do we change a consumer's behaviors?

Increased Consumer Demands

This is where Plant Scientists come in!

What type of questions might plant scientists

ask?

ActivityEco-Friendly Packing Peanuts:

Making Them and

Putting Them to the Test

Investigation 1: Creating Effective Biodegradable Packing Peanuts

 

Challenge: How can the chemical components be changed to create a “better”, more effective biodegradable packing peanut.

Baking Powder• When dissolved in water, acid salts reacts

with sodium bicarbonate and produces carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide creates bubbles within the mixture forming gas pockets.

Glycerol• Is a plasticizer that gives plastics flexibility

and durability. Water was used in the standard. Glycerol (derived from vegetable oil or animal fat).

Baking powder will make the packing peanut fluffier.

Glycerol will make the packing peanut flexible.

Testing the results!