Substitute for Plastics: Conversion of Agricultural Biomass Residues to Molded Pulp Products (MPP)

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This project aims to develop a novel process for converting agricultural biomass, such as the leftover fiber stalks from cannabis production, into a useful cellulose raw material for packaging made from molded pulp products. More specifically, the objectives of the proposed project are to investigate the biochemical reactions of agricultural residues (e.g. cannabis biomass and corn stover) with fungal enzymes and to develop eco-friendly biomechanical defibrillation processes for converting agricultural residual biomass to produce quality raw materials for production of molded pulp products. The biomass from cannabis stalks is a good alternative source of cellulose fibers that can be used for production of molded pulp products. The main challenge is developing a suitable defibrillation technology to produce quality fibers from the biomass at a reasonable cost without using harsh chemical methods that would cause environmental problems. The approach for this project will be based on a two-step enzymatic pretreatment process followed by mechanical refining. Laboratory studies will be carried out to understand how the biomass reacts to enzymatic treatment under various conditions and how the enzymatic pretreatment effects the subsequent mechanical refining process and the quality of resultant pulp fibers. Based on the results from the laboratory studies, trials will be performed to optimize the process conditions at larger scales comparable to commercial production. The ultimate outcome of the proposed project will be a novel process for producing molded pulp products that are more competitive in the market due to improved qualities and decreased production cost. Additionally, there will be environmental advantages in replacing some of the plastic packaging products that are currently in the marketplace.