PlasticVersus
Problem
In the mid-19th century, many items in people's homes were made from ivory. Due to the consumer society in the West, ivory was being harvested, leading to the death of elephants. As a solution to this ecological crisis, it was discovered that plastic could be produced as a by-product of oil refining. From the 1950s onwards, plastic production and consumption increased rapidly. Since 1970, CO2 emissions have increased by 78% and according to the National Center for Environmental Law (CIEL), greenhouse gas emissions from plastics are equivalent to 189 thermal power plants and if this continues, by 2050 these emissions will be equivalent to 615 thermal power plants. Global average temperatures have increased by 1.1 C over the last 140 years. The continuity and safety of life depends on limiting global temperatures to 1.5 C. Therefore, greenhouse gas emissions from plastics need to be reduced urgently and rapidly. For these reasons, in recent years, studies on the development and production of bioplastics that can prevent the waste problem in plastic production and at the same time substitute materials such as plastic and wood have gained importance.
Solution
This business idea aims to contribute to the circular economy by converting 5 million tons of waste cotton stalks produced annually from 573 thousand hectares of cotton cultivation areas into biopolymers and bioplastic raw materials. Since the bioplastic raw material produced from waste cotton stalks is cellulose-based, it cannot be digested by humans (except those with cellulase enzyme) and leaves no toxic effects. The bioplastic raw material produced is biodegradable and completely absorbed into the soil within 12 weeks. The bio raw material produced from waste cotton stalks has high mechanical strength, high abrasion resistance, transparency, dyeability, moldability and low oxygen permeability. It can withstand temperatures up to 340C and is suitable for all types of extruders and injection molding machines. This business idea aims to develop bio solutions with bio raw material properties for different sectors, especially packaging, automotive and white goods. The developed method reduces carbon emissions by up to 600% by reducing CO2 emissions from 3 kilograms per kilogram to 0.49 kilograms per kilogram in conventional plastic production. This business idea aims to produce bioplastics using 65% less energy than the energy used in the production of conventional plastics, save 528 liters of oil and 1200 m of water for every ton of bioplastic produced, ensure that the bioplastic produced biodegrades in nature within 12 weeks and reduce global warming caused by plastics by 80%.
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