Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental problem of the twenty-first century.
In addition to plastic waste, Malaysia alone disposes of 19.8 million tonnes of waste fromTo reduce the environmental impact of these forms of waste, researchers have turned hemicellulose from palm oil waste into a biodegradable film.
Hemicellulose is found in agricultural waste, and it is a promising biopolymer for the production of films – it is flexible, hasHemicellulose is also known as the main componentfruit bunches that are discarded by palm oil producers.
Although many of the properties of this polymer make ita potential viable alternative to plastic, the problem is its fragility. To solve the problem, scientists mixed hemicellulose with non-toxic, commercially available carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). This combination has a positive effect on the mechanical properties, transparency, flexibility and moisture absorption of other biopolymers.
This new one is mixed with hemicelluloseThe material is a promising alternative to polluting non-biodegradable plastics. Although the production of biopolymers from palm industry waste does not prevent further deforestation, the use of this by-product increases the value of the crop, and, as the study authors note, “the environmental impact will be reduced by reducing waste.”
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