Biodegradable Coir-based Pellets

An Alternative to Conventional Plastics

In the pursuit of environmental conservation, discovering alter-natives to conventional plastics presents a formidable challenge. However, a recent breakthrough from a laboratory in Kerala offers a promising solution. This innovation involves the creation of coir-based pellets, which serve as biodegradable substitutes for non-biodegradable plastics. Developed by the National Institute of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) in Thiruvananthapuram, these pellets are crafted through injection moulding- a process wherein fibrous coconut husks are blended with a biodegradable polymer, melted, and injected into a mould before solidifying. This scientific intervention underscores NIIST's commitment to reducing the environmental impact of conventional plastics by introducing eco-friendly alternatives.

The pellets are cost-effective, scalable, and ready-to-use. They can be moulded into a variety of products and shapes as per the application. The final product is highly flexible with high mechanical strength. The products find application in the field of agriculture, construction, packaging, healthcare, and consumer goods.

Crafted from a blend of coir, biodegradable polymer, and plasticiser- an agent enhancing flexibility- the pellets undergo a process involving melting, blending, and extrusion. Upon cooling, they are cut into pellet form, ready for application.

These biodegradable pellets have already found utility in several innovative applications. For instance, they have been utilised to produce eco-friendly garden pots, serving as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic pots. Additionally, for the textile industry, compostable core plugs have been developed to safeguard textile rolls during transit and storage.

Moreover, these versatile pellets are used in creating intricate structures such as drain cells, which efficiently manage excess water in various environments, including highway medians and rooftops. This multifaceted approach under-scores the pellets' potential to address sustainability challenges across diverse sectors.

The items manufactured from these biodegradable pellets play a vital role in minimising our reliance on traditional plastics, thus reducing our overall plastic footprint. While environment- friendly alternatives to conventional plastics exist in the market, they often come with a higher price tag, earning them the label of "premium products." This price barrier limits accessibility to a wider population. However, it is imperative to note that the continued indiscriminate use of traditional plastics poses significant challenges, particularly concerning their degradation and environmental impact. Addressing these challenges is crucial to avoid potentially severe consequences in the future.

A plastic straw takes around 200 years to decompose, plastic bottles take around 450 years, plastic cups take about 450 years, toothbrush around 500 years, and disposable diapers take around 500 years to degrade. Minute plastic fragments known as Micro and Nano Plastics (MNPs) contaminate the ecosystem and harm the wildlife. Apart from environmental damage, plastic causes health hazards as well. In case of the wildlife, whether in sea or land, ingestion of plastics are fatal as these choke their organs through accumulation.These tiny micro and nano plastics puncture the organs leading to death of the animal. Some MNPs are difficult to detect. They are ingested by humans and enter the system through the foodchain.

According to the UNEP's 2021 report titled "Pollution to Solution," a staggering amount of plastic waste, ranging from 75 to 199 million tons, currently contaminates our oceans. The report also underscores the health risks associated with micro-plastics, particularly for women, due to the chemicals they carry.

Amidst this inundation of non-biodegradable plastics, where global production exceeds 430 million tonnes annually, the emergence of groundbreaking research and innovations becomes imperative. One such innovation is the development of 100% biodegradable coir-based pellets, pioneered by CSIR-NIIST. This breakthrough offers a promising solution to combat the plastic crisis and its detrimental effects on the environment and human health

Interview

Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan

Director, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology

How long did the making of market-ready biodegradable coir-based pellets take?

The total time taken for the development was 18 months. This technology has been developed in connection to the CSIR - FTT Project (4th Tranche) on coir geo composites under E3OW (Ecology, Environment, Earth and Ocean Sciences and Water) theme - MLP0070, NIIST.

Is this invention affordable and useful to the common people?

Our compostable coir fibre composite pellets can be injection moulded to any shapes with desired flexibility using existing fabrication facilities, would be a potential alternative to non-biodegradable conventional plastics. Coir, being an abundant fibre in the tropical regions, is used as a sustainable filler material, resistant towards saline conditions, fungi, termite etc., imparts excellent mechanical and insulating properties and thus the raw material cost can be reduced.

Please provide salient points of the future roadmap of R&D of CSIR-NIIST.

Currently, the technology is licensed awaiting commercialisation. It has been demonstrated at an industrial scale (Technology Readiness Level 5). A few salient propositions of this technology are:

·       To encourage the adoption of eco-friendly products, supporting sustainable consumer choics.

·       Generate employment opportunities in rural areas, especially for women.

·       This technology is highly relevant to the "Atmanirbhar Bharat'', "Make in India", "Innovate in India", and "Swachh Bharat Mission."

Contributed by: Science Media Communication Cell, CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi.