Researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ) have developed a biodegradable plastic designed to replace conventional petroleum-based plastics in food packaging, including fruit punnets. The new material, created by PhD candidate Vincent Mathel and Dr. Luigi Vandi at UQ's School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, is a biocomposite made from bacteria-fermented polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) reinforced with Australian wood fibres.
Successfully tested as a strawberry punnet, the biocomposite completely biodegrades in soil, freshwater, the ocean, and compost. "This is a new material that combines sustainability with the properties of conventional plastic packaging," said Mr. Mathel. "We focused on using Australian resources to avoid the environmental impact of imports."
The material was developed over three years at UQ's Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM), backed by industry collaborators and an Advanced Queensland Industry Research Fellowship. The team chose Radiata Pine sawdust as the biofiller, valuing its abundance, low cost, and ability to enhance biodegradability.
"Not all bioplastics are genuinely biodegradable, and many involve greenwashing," Dr. Vandi explained. "Our focus was on creating a sustainable product with the right balance of natural ingredients and functional properties."
To test the biocomposite's commercial potential, the team collaborated with biotech company Uluu and Brisbane-based SDI Plastics, producing 200 strawberry punnets. The Queensland Strawberry Growers Association and LuvaBerry Farm provided feedback to ensure the packaging met industry needs.
Dr. Vandi noted that plastic punnets are essential for shipping strawberries without damage, but they are problematic from a sustainability perspective. "We've shown this material can replace the 580 million plastic punnets used annually," he said.
The team is now evaluating the composting performance of the biocomposite with Phoenix Power Recyclers. Senior environmental scientist Dr. Deepak Ipe and general manager Chris Alexander are assisting with the assessment.
Looking ahead, Mr. Mathel aims to scale up production for a range of food packaging and other rigid plastic applications. The team is seeking financial backing to establish manufacturing, with a long-term goal of reducing reliance on petroleum-based plastics.
"Bioplastics are essential for applications where plastics are unavoidable, especially for short-term use," Mr. Mathel said.
For more information:
University of Queensland
Tel: +61 429 056 139
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www.uq.edu.au