Innovations Item Code: IN-2024-2100573
Sector: Fabrication and Manufacturing
Description:
The BPC boards considers the utilization of agricultural wastes and plastic wastes to produce new materials which can be useful in manufacturing. The boards utilize the strength and versatility of plastics as matrix whilst integrating the renewable biomass as fillers. The boards are produced by means of hot pressing. The plastics and biomass are milled into small sizes and are fed into a mould where pressing takes place at elevated temperature. During hot pressing, the plastic melts and fuses with the biomass to form a composite. The BPC boards can find application in automobiles, packaging, furniture, and wood replacement,
Stage of Innovation: Proof of Concept (You have created something to show the innovation can work)
Problem:
The problem of waste management is critical and the reuse or recycling of wastes could be helpful. Most of the plastics end up in the sea which cause a disruption to aquatic life. The utilization of BPC would reduce the over-reliance on plastics whilst introducing some sustainability into material development.
Unique Selling Point: Most solution have utilized wood with plastics to produce the composite. However, there are several biomass materials which occur as residues or by-products which could be utilized for the production of the composites. The use of agricultural residues could give new ideas into the development of sustainable materials.