Print
Email
Print Edition Stories
Bioplastics from potatoes: Efrain Viscarolasaga on NECN
Last year, the state of Maine produced almost 900,000 tons of potatoes, yet not a single one was used in the production or packaging of a Mr. Potato Head.
But a new consortium in the state has raised $650,000 to research the potential for making bioplastics from the starch in local potatoes. If successful, the project could bolster the state’s potato industry and yield a biodegradable plastic that could eventually be used in any number of applications, including the production and packaging of toys.
The group, called the Sustainable Bioplastics Consortium, is being led by Guilford, Maine-based True Inc. (which was known as InterfaceFABRIC until earlier this week), and includes participation from the Maine Potato Board, the state’s Environmental Health Strategy Center, consumer-products maker Tom’s of Maine Inc. and the University of Maine.
“The project is driven very much by the private sector, which is trying to find viable organic plastics,” said Roger Brooks, the manager of commercialization and cluster support at the Maine Technology Institute.
The MTI provided the project $200,000 through its cluster award program, and other participants, including the Environmental Health Strategy Center, provided the balance of the funds.
Consumer applications for bioplastics vary depending on the particular material, but should a process be perfected, everything from disposable cutlery to consumer electronics — even toys such as Mr. Potato Head — could get an organic makeover.
If successful, the potato project could also be a boost for Maine’s potato farmers. While Maine remains the sixth largest grower of potatoes in the country, the entire industry has seen a drop since 2004, attributed mostly to a drop in consumer demand stemming from low-carb diets, according to Donald Flannery, the executive director of the Maine Potato Board. While a growing potato-plastics industry in the state would not bring the industry back to the levels of five years ago, it could provide a new revenue stream that could easily be supplied, he said.
“This would be good for us because we don’t have to change our cultural practices or invest in new equipment,” said Flannery. “We just have to do what we know how to do, and that’s grow potatoes.”
Studying the potato’s future
During the 18-month program, scientists and researchers at the University of Maine will examine the possibility of creating plastic resin, called polylactic acid, from the starch in potatoes. Simultaneously, other participants will look into the business aspects of such products, including the state’s ability to support the raw material needs and the economics surrounding a potato-plastic industry.
As the leader of the group, True brings some experience with biomaterials to the project. The company has been making corn-based interior fabrics for four years under the brand name Terratex, according to corporate environmental manager Stacie Beyer.
“(Environmental materials) have been a growing market for us, and we are seeing more and more demand for these kinds of products,” she said.
While the use of potatoes as a feedstock for organic plastics is still in its early stages, the development of an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based products has been ongoing for several years. Corn has traditionally been the feedstock of choice and is used by both Metabolix Inc. of Cambridge, which makes biodegradable materials, and Arthur Blank & Co. of Boston, which uses corn to make its line of biodegradable cards (credit cards, hotel keys, etc.).
With oil prices continuing to rise, industry insiders say interest in such technologies will continue to grow. A handful of other groups around the world are looking at potato-based technologies, including the University of Leeds and technology developer Stanelco PLC, both in the United Kingdom.
“Everyone is looking at new models (for producing bioplastics), many of which were once not economically viable, but with oil at $140 a barrel, have become so,” said Brian Igoe, vice president and chief brand officer at Cambridge-based bioplastics developer Metabolix.
In addition, both companies are looking at other, non-food-based feedstocks. While Metabolix’s pilot plant is now running on corn, Igoe said the company is continually looking at other sources for use in its commercial plant, which is expected to begin operations in 2009.
According to Rick Barbieri, director of marketing at Arthur Blank, the company will soon launch a new line of cards made from a combination of organic by-products from the processing of other crops, such as beets and alfalfa.
RSS Feeds
Comments
Please Login/Register to post comments.
No comments have been added or approved.