Industrial Agricultural Products Center
Biopolymers, Biochemicals, Biofuels, Biopower
Recent bioplastics research has resulted in the development of biofoam, a water-resistant alternative packaging material made from a blend of corn starch and plastic resin. The University of Nebraska has a patent pending on this material and is working to transfer the technology to private industry for manufacturing products such as packing "peanuts," egg cartons, meat trays and fast food "clamshells." A related article, Functional Properties of Polylactic Acid Starch-Based Loose-Fill Packaging Foams , by Qi Fang and Milford Hanna, describes some of this research.
Industrial Agricultural Products Center scientists are also modifying this starch-based formulation to work with expandable bead polystyrene technology used to produce foam cups, ice chests and custom molded packing materials. Local plastics processors are assisting IAPC staff by providing industry expertise and facilities to support this project. In another area of starch research, IAPC scientists are working on improved methods for making chemical intermediates used to polyurethane foams, alkyd resins, surfactants and other materials.