How to make plastic bottles from sugarcane and captured CO2
A new study led by Durham University’s Long Jiang, Abigail Gonzalez-Diaz, and Janie Ling-Chin lays out a pathway to making plastic bottles from waste organic material and CO2 captured from power plants. A thorough analysis of the economics shows this process could even be cost competitive for making things like plastic bottles.
The process could start with something like the leftover plant material from sugarcane pressing. After a few reaction steps, which include the addition of some captured CO2 and some ethylene glycol produced from corn plants, you’d end up with a plastic polymer called polyethylene furandicarboxylate—otherwise known as PEF. Functionally, it’s similar to the PET plastic used for water and soda bottles, denoted by the number 1 recycling symbol.
Spotted this too:
Idealpak’s sugarcane tubes are made from bio-plastic derived from 100% renewable resource—sugarcane, instead of fossil-based materials. They have the same structure and function as the conventional tubes and there is no difference in the properties.
Therefore, no new filling equipment are needed if you shift from conventional tubes to sugarcane tubes. The carbon footprint of a sugarcane tube is 50% better than that of a conventional tube. After being used, the sugarcane tubes can be 100% recycled.
Renewable. Sustainable. Recyclable.
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt
p.s. be sure to catch my earlier post on Legos made from sugarcane: click on the "sugar cane" tag below to access that one
p.s. be sure to catch my earlier post on Legos made from sugarcane: click on the "sugar cane" tag below to access that one