Agriculture

The use of different biomaterials and NBMs will be validated in agricultural applications. Succinic and lactic acid will be derived from biomass and will be used as monomers in the development of completely biodegradable succinate and PLA biopolymers. Both biopolymers will be nano-reinforced with nano lignin, nano biochar, nanocellulose, etc., to create materials with enhanced mechanical properties and decreased water vapor transmission rates, as well as with antioxidant/optical properties and UV/thermal resistance appropriate for mulch films, injection-molded clips, thermoformed/injection molded pots, seeds coating, coating for controlled-release fertilization etc., to be used in agriculture. Biopolymers and nano additives will contribute to soil amendment and remediation after biodegradation of bioplastics in soil, to improve technical performances while increasing soil health and quality. In particular, the biodegradation in soil is a key property to reduce the impact of conventional applications (non biodegradable) with a high risk of dispersion in the environment and a short life cycle. Biodegradable in soil materials are not accumulating in the environment and do not produce ecotoxic effect in the end of life environment (soil).

Growing pots and soil mulch films - BIOMAC Test case #2

BIOMAC, as an open ecosystem, focuses on the creation and validation of new supply and value chains where technologies that are being scaled-up and validated to TRL 7, accelerating their exploitation potential. The BIOMAC OITB has been built to address 5 Test Cases (interTeCs) for the validation selected based on their complexity in order to involve different pilote lines as well as the supporting services and thus provide a holistic feedback for the operation of the OITB as a whole.

The TeC2 “Agricultural applications” is led by Novamont and it aims at validating the use of different intermediates for the preparation of biomaterials with application in agriculture.

Biopolyester-based biomaterial for injection molded black grow pots

Biomaterial granules and injection molded grow pots obtained by Novamont and including biochar from Miscanthus straw pellet provided by UEDIN.

A biobased and biodegradable thermoplastic material suitable for injection molding applications and designed to provide rheological characteristics and recyclability potential suitable for valorization in black grow pots. The grow pots could be mechanically recycled at the end of their life and industrially composted if contaminated by organic residues. The biomaterial is obtained starting from Novamont’s formulations including its proprietary biopolyesters and biochar from EUDIN.

Potential benefits

• Alternative to the use of fossil-based carbon black with exploitation opportunity in sustainable horticulture and floriculture nurseries
• No accumulation in open environment during recycling or in case of accidental dispersion
• Possibility to recover pots contaminated by organic residues through industrial composting
• Reduction in cost of the final bioproduct using economically sustainable biochar grades as filler

Biopolyester-based biomaterial for injection molded brown grow pots

Injection moulded grow pots based on NVMT’s biopolyester and including nanolignin

A biobased and biodegradable thermoplastic material suitable for injection molding applications and designed to provide rheological characteristics and recyclability potential suitable for valorization in brown grow pots.

The grow pots could be mechanically recycled at the end of their life and industrially composted if contaminated by organic residues.

The biomaterial is obtained starting from Novamont’s formulations including its proprietary biopolyesters using nanolignin from CNANO.

Potential benefits

• Nanolignin shows a thermoplastic behavior within a specific temperature range suitable for obtaining injection molded parts with uniform color distribution
• The natural color of lignin provides a natural coloring to the final product

No accumulation in open environment during recycling or in case of accidental dispersionReduction in cost of the final bioproduct using economically sustainable nanolignin grades as filler

Biopolyester-based biomaterial for injection molded grow pots including biobased succinic acid

A biobased and biodegradable thermoplastic material suitable for injection molding applications including a biopolyester derived from biobased succinic acid from the fermentation of Miscanthus’ sugars. The grow pots could be mechanically recycled at the end of their life and industrially composted if contaminated by organic residues.

The biomaterial is obtained from Novamont’s formulations including its proprietary biopolyesters prepared from succinic acid by ATB.

Injection moulded grow pots based on NVMT’s biopolyester derived from biobased succinic acid

Potential benefits

Potentially >95% RRM biomaterial from EU feedstock

• No accumulation in open environment during recycling or in case of accidental dispersion
• Compatible with standard mechanical recycling processes

Starch-based biomaterial for black biodegradable in soil mulch film

A biobased and biodegradable thermoplastic material suitable for film blowing applications and designed to provide mechanical properties suitable for in-field deployment compatible with standard agricultural machinery. The mulch film is tilled in the soil at the end of the crop cycle and it undergoes biodegradation in soil without accumulation. The biomaterial is obtained from Novamont’s proprietary formulations including thermoplastic starch and biochar by EUDIN.

Film blowing of biomaterial by NVMT including biochar and final film roll

Potential benefits

Alternative to the use of fossil-based carbon black with exploitation opportunity in 100% biobased agrofilm for biological agriculture applications.

• Valorisation of biochar from EU biomasses for agricultural applications in a circular bioeconomy case study

Starch-based biomaterial for brown biodegradable in soil mulch film

A biobased and biodegradable thermoplastic material suitable for film blowing applications and designed to provide mechanical properties suitable for in-field deployment compatible with standard agricultural machinery. The mulch film is tilled in the soil at the end of the crop cycle and it undergoes biodegradation in soil without accumulation in open environment. The biomaterial is obtained starting from Novamont’s proprietary formulations including thermoplastic starch using nanolignin by CNANO.

Potential benefits

• Nanolignin shows a thermoplastic behaviour within a specific temperature range suitable for obtaining mulch films with low unmelts and improved mechanical properties due to a more homogeneous distribution.
• The natural colour of lignin offers the opportunity for the valorisation of brownish mulching in those local communities where the use of more visually impacting black mulch films is discouraged.
• Valorisation of lignin from EU biomasses for agricultural applications in a circular bioeconomy case study.

Starch based biomaterial including polyols and diols for biodegradable in soil mulch film

A thermoplastic biobased and biodegradable material suitable for film blowing applications and designed to provide improved mechanical properties suitable for in-field deployment compatible with standard agricultural machinery thanks to the use polyols and diols (e.g. sorbitol) as the plasticizer of starch.

The biomaterial is obtained from Novamont’s proprietary formulations including thermoplastic starch, using poyols and diols from AUTH (PL3).

Film blowing of biomaterial by NVMT including polyols and diols (e.g. sorbitol) from PL3

Potential benefits

• Valorisation of sugar sidestreams from EU biomasses for agricultural applications in a circular bioeconomy case study.

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