Trigger

Development of a Pea Starch Film with Trigger Biodegradation Properties for Agricultural Applications

The main objective of the project is to develop an agricultural plastic film which will maintain its functional properties during its lifespan, & at the same time be able to break down quickly & effectively after harvest.

The project's aim is to develop a trigger to start & accelerate the biodegradation process just as the film has completed its work. This trigger must be activated independently of the crop, the type of soil & climate conditions.

Investigations will be undertaken into two alternative approaches to manufacture a film with a controlled biodegradation start & rate (Trigger System):

• A film based on a biopolymer with a low biodegradation rate, which will incorporate a salt as a filler that will undergo an exothermal reaction in contact with water.
• A film based on a biopolymer with high biodegradation rate whose biodegradation activity will be initially inhibited by the addition of an antimicrobial additive & then promoted when required.

The relevance of the project to the SME members of the European trade associations & their sector will be the following:

• Farmers will be able to take advantage of the new bioplastic films avoiding the disadvantages of currently used films:
  • The new mulch will generate significant savings in production costs: it will eliminate mulch removal & disposal costs (approximately €375/ha.).
  • It will improve the yield & quality of the crops (by preventing plastic waste in the soil).
  • The biodegradable plastic to be developed in the project will be manufactured from renewable resources. We will use a pea starch. Therefore, a new market for this crop will be created.
• Biodegradable polymer manufacturers will increase their volume of business since a new market will be created. They will be able to reduce production costs, because:
  • The new raw material is a by-product (pea starch with inherently lower value).
  • The development of new applications for biodegradable polymers such as in this project favours the reduction of costs (economies of scale).
• Plastic compounders will increase their volume of business because a new market will be created. Mulch & low tunnel films are currently manufactured using commodity plastics (mainly PE) where the compounding process is generally not required.
• Plastic film manufacturers will:
  • Produce a higher added value product than existing plastic films manufactured from commodity plastics.
  • Increase their volume of business. It is expected that the new biodegradable trigger film will have a higher acceptance by farmers, due to its advantages compared with existing biodegradable & non-biodegradable mulch & low tunnel films.
• Agricultural machinery manufacturers will increase their volume of business by opening new markets & through adaptation of conventional agricultural machinery to the new developed trigger system.

Start date: 1/06/2005
Completion date: 30/11/2008