Barley means plastic?

Hopefully Barley Plastic isn't Barely Useable. (Ugh)

I did not forsee the University of Copenhagen as a vanguard in the fight against plastic pollution, BUT scientists there have created a new bioplastic material that promises to be both stronger and more environmentally friendly than what we’re currently using. This innovative solution, made from the unlikely source materials of barley starch and sugar beet waste, offers a glimmer of hope in the struggle to reduce plastic waste.

And we quote:

"We've developed a new type of bioplastic that is stronger and can better withstand water than current bioplastics, at the same time, our material is 100% biodegradable and can be converted into compost by microorganisms if it ends up somewhere other than a bin."

Professor Andreas Blennow (leader of the research team)

This breakthrough comes at a crucial time. Only 9% of plastic waste is being recycled worldwide, which leaves the rest either incinerated or dumped into landfills. Unlike existing bioplastics, this new material promises complete decomposition in nature within just two months.

The secret to this eco-friendly marvel lies in its composition. The biocomposite is primarily made of amylose and cellulose, both common plant-based ingredients. The research team developed a special barley variety that produces pure amylose, which resists turning into a paste when exposed to water. This is combined with nanocellulose fibers derived from sugar industry waste, providing mechanical strength to the material.

The images below depict the degradation of different plastic materials. Top left is a common LDPE plastic film. Top center and right are the researchers' amylose-based bioplastic and a plastic made from corn starch, respectively. At the bottom are three different bags made from conventional bioplastics.

A) shows the start of the experiment. then (B) after 8 days, then 11, 21, 41 and 54 days.

Photo Courtesy of Professor Andreas Blennow and his lab

The potential applications here are vast. From food packaging to automotive interiors, the material could replace many current plastic products. Even better, the production chain for the main ingredients already exists on a large scale, making the potential industrial transition potentially smoother than one might worry.

Not sitting still, Blennow and his team are already collaborating with Danish packaging companies to develop real-world applications. "I think it's realistic that different prototypes in soft and hard packaging, such as trays, bottles, and bags, will be developed within one to five years," Blennow predicted.

This development represents more than just a new product; it's a potential paradigm shift for the plastic problem polluting the planet. (Alliteration!)

Solutions for our unhealthy reliance on plastics are good. Innovative, biofriendly ones are even better.

The future of packaging may not just be greene – it might be growing in fields right now.