Researchers from the Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore have discovered an alternative to single-use plastics (SUPs) manufactured by mixing cellulose extracts and non-edible oils extracted from agricultural stubble. This alternative to single-use plastic is biodegradable, non-toxic and leak-proof.
The institute claims that it will wipe out a significant portion of pollution-churning sources. Agricultural stubble extract is mixed with di-isocyanate compounds and toluene. This mixing solution undergoes 8 hours of heating and 12 hours of cooling, which yields sheets of polyurethane. These sheets are flexible enough to be developed into cutlery, containers and carry bags.
The research was led by Professors Suryasarathi Bose and Kaushik Chatterjee, who led a team of student research collaborators to create this cutting-edge alternative to single-use plastics. “Such options can act as a major change in the paradigm, especially in the packaging sectors which are the largest consumers of SUPs. It will also help in managing the landfills that are growing with SUPs,” said Bose. Told Hindu.
The team also included Indranil Chakraborty and Preetiranjan Mandal, who worked as collaborators with Professor Bose and Professor Chatterjee. Researchers have applied for a provisional patent and are now working to develop a plastic alternative with oils other than castor oil, such as jatropha oil or neem oil.
According to a report by the Central Pollution Control Board, in just five years, gram per capita plastic production has increased from around 700 to around 2500. Unfortunately, only a small amount of this plastic is recycled, and the rest is administered. into the environment through various polluting catalysts.
Indian states, especially Delhi, are also grappling with another issue that swells Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to alarming levels – agricultural stubble burning. Every winter, the city is blinded by thick layers of smoke from stubble burning. The institute says that IISc’s research can help solve these problems.
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