Evaluation of cannabis stems biomass for the productions of molded pulp products

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Green/sustainable packaging products such as molded cellulose pulp products have attracted great market interest due strong demands from the general public, and are expected to continue to increase their market share at the expense of synthetic polymer-based products (such as plastics). CKF is a manufacturer of food service and packaging products, with other product lines including egg cartons, meat trays, produce packs, food trays, carry-out trays and containers. Old newsprint pulp (ONP) is presently used at the plant to manufacture some of its products. The company is interested in using cannabis biomass residues as part of its raw materials in the production of molded cellulose pulp products. This Engage project is intended to provide a feasibility study of two-step biological-mechanical technologies to convert cannabis biomass to lignocellulosic fibers. The relationship between the biological and mechanical treatment conditions and properties of resultant fibers will be established; a preliminary engineering design of the process will be completed. The outcomes of the proposed research will be the development of practical two-step enzymatic-mechanical treatment technologies that will convert cannabis biomass (otherwise solid wastes) to lignocellulosic fibers that will be used to produce molded fiber products to meet the increased demand for green/sustainable products, while also assisting the cannabis plantation/farming sector to generate more profit by creating new product lines, thus creating more job opportunities for qualified personnel.