STTR Phase I: Cellulose Based Material Innovations for Ocean Compostable Fish Friendly Plastic Packaging Replacement Platform Technology

该STTR项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力正在推动环境安全包装的发展。据估计，全球包装市场将在2022年增长至9800 B美元，2020年盖估计为14 B美元。由于40%的塑料是一次性使用的，因此需要创新包装。目前的石油塑料盖是不可持续的，也不能回收，它们不会在环境中分解。提出的解决方案是一种新型的冷热饮料盖，成本低，可以与纸一起回收，如果乱扔，也不会损害海洋环境。该STTR第一阶段项目建议推进一种方法的转化，该方法使用高度精制的木材纤维素微纤维，结合碳酸钙和其他低成本添加剂，以产生一种盖子，该盖子模仿当前塑料聚丙烯和聚苯乙烯盖子的感觉，但提供优异的环境性能。将通过分解时间测试环境影响，并通过斑马鱼胚胎暴露效应和死亡率测试海洋影响。 所提出的解决方案将展示任何石油或玉米塑料材料都无法获得的环境分解行为。技术障碍包括将这种新纸浆成型和干燥成大规模的自动化盖子生产过程。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this STTR project is advancing the development of environmentally safe packaging. The global packaging market has been estimated to grow to $980 B in 2022, with lids estimated at $1.4 B in 2020. As 40% of plastic is created for one-time-use, a need exists for innovative packaging. The current petroleum plastic lids are not sustainable nor recycled and they do not break down in the environment. The proposed solution is a new class of hot and cold drink lids that are low-cost, can be recycled with paper, and will not harm the ocean environment if littered. This STTR Phase I project proposes to advance the translation of a method to use highly refined wood cellulose microfibers, combined with calcium carbonate and other low-cost additives, to generate a lid that mimics the feel of current plastic polypropylene and polystyrene lids but provides excellent environmental performance. The environmental impact will be tested via decomposition time, and ocean impact by zebrafish embryo exposure effects and mortality. The proposed solution will demonstrate environmental decomposing behavior not obtained with any petroleum or corn plastic material. The technical hurdles include molding and drying this new pulp into an automated lid production process at scale. This project will characterize this new pulp.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.