Optimization of Extruded Bead Expansion for Insulating Properties and Impact Protection of PLA Biobased Plastic for Replacement of Fish Packaging

消费者对环保产品的认识不断提高，鱼类包装行业法规的变化正在推动行业转变，为传统塑料投入提供可持续的替代品。然而，该行业正在努力寻找可扩展的解决方案，现有产品无法满足所需的质量，成本和制造兼容性要求。因此，布朗湾包装已与佳洁士模具技术公司。和兰顿学院开发一种新的可生物降解的包装材料的新鲜鱼类运输。在合作中，布朗湾包装，佳洁士模具技术，和兰顿学院的目标是修改材料组合，以创建一个挤压聚合物，拥有类似的规格和性能的EPS材料的目的，创造一个可持续的生产鱼包装过程，是抗撕裂和低成本。为此，研究团队将测试各种比例的拟议添加剂，以优化和生产PLA颗粒，提高PLA的耐热性，并为Browns Bay Packing产品构建模具，并测试改进对PLA的影响。拟议项目的结果将支持Browns Bay和Crest Mold Technology的循环经济计划，特别是产品开发和产品线的增长。此外，研究结果还将有助于加拿大不断增长的可持续化学产品组合，并改善鱼类包装行业。在两年内，预计布朗湾将有0.1%的制造业初创企业的市场渗透率。反过来，预计这将带来每年950万美元的潜在收入，并在生产设施全面投入运营后产生多达25个全职职位。

Increasing consumer awareness of eco-friendly products and changes in regulations to the fish packaging industry is creating a shift in the industry to provide sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic inputs. However, the industry is struggling to find a scalable solution and existing products are failing to meet the quality, cost, and manufacturing compatibility requirements needed. As a result, Browns Bay Packing has partnered with Crest Mold Technology Inc. and Lambton College to develop a novel biodegradable packaging material for fresh fish shipping. In collaboration, Browns Bay Packing, Crest Mold Technology, and Lambton College aim to modify material combinations to create an extrusion polymer that holds the specifications and performance similar to EPS material for the purpose of creating a sustainable manufacturing fish packaging process that is tear-resistant and low cost. To do this, the research team will test various ratios of the proposed additives to optimize and produce PLA pellets, improve the thermal resistance of PLA, and build a mold for Browns Bay Packing products and test the effects of the improvements to the PLA.The results of the proposed project will support both Browns Bay and Crest Mold Technology circular economy initiatives, particularly product development and growth of their product lines. In addition, the results will also contribute to Canada's growing sustainable chemistry portfolio and improve the fish packaging industry. Within two years, it is anticipated that Browns Bay will have a market penetration of 0.1% of manufacturing start-up. In turn, this is expected to bring in potential revenues of 9.5 million per year and generate up to 25 full-time positions once the production facility is fully operational.