Chemicals > Biomaterials
Biomaterials are materials composed primarily of raw materials derived
from agricultural crops, which do not cause environmental damage in
the course of degradation, combustion or recycling. In today's debate
over sustainable development, biomaterials have a significant role to
play, in terms of conserving resources, optimising waste management
and creating jobs, particularly in rural areas.
A wide range of agricultural products and byproducts including grains,
oilseeds, starchy and fibrous plants can be transformed into valuable
products to engender new materials, with uses in the synthesis of biopolymers,
bioplastics (films, packaging materials), agrimaterials,
composites (surfaces, structure, insulation) and thickening agents (surface
treatment).
  These
applications are today geared mainly towards outlets in specialised
markets such as green waste collection bags, compost sacks, flatware
for fast-food restaurants, and others. Growing interest in these materials,
and improvement of their properties, hold out the promise that in the
near future biomaterials will penetrate new mass markets such as packing
materials for shipping, food packaging (trays) and films for agricultural
use.
AGRICE's goal is to improve the economic and technical competitiveness
of these biomaterials and promote their environmental advantages.
More about it :
|
Breakdown of AGICE grants
for biomaterials
|
|
