A joint initiative between Scion and Mamaku Blue Winery is underway to explore sustainable packaging solutions for blueberry products. This collaboration focuses on the creation of moulded fibre trays that incorporate blueberry pomace, aiming to transform agricultural waste into compostable packaging alternatives.
Supported by the Bioresource Processing Alliance Summer Student Internship, researchers are investigating the integration of agricultural byproducts into fibre trays to improve their durability and moisture resistance. This research addresses the limitations of fibre-based packaging compared to plastic.
Kate Parker, leading Scion's sustainable materials team, highlights the global demand for reducing single-use plastics, prompting the need for viable ecological packaging options. "Moulded fibre packaging is a sustainable, compostable option, but it often falls short in strength and moisture resistance compared to plastic. By incorporating agricultural byproducts, we hope to improve the functionality of fibre trays and provide an innovative use for materials that would otherwise end up in landfill."
This project aligns with Scion's mission to advance a circular bioeconomy by converting organic waste into valuable products, aiming to optimise resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Kate Parker says, "The horticulture and agriculture industries generate large volumes of organic waste. Instead of seeing these byproducts as a problem, we are exploring how they can become part of the solution."
Testing also included other byproducts such as avocado stones and cabbage leaves, refined and blended with wood fibre, using Scion's pilot-scale thermoformer. Preliminary results showed changes in tray characteristics and improved water resistance with cabbage microfibres, guiding future research on combined material benefits.
Source: SunLive