Biodegradable packaging - Product of young scientists

Now people are accustomed to using plastic packaging to store things when shopping in supermarkets or in daily life. However, few people know that, behind the convenience of small bags is an environmental problem because it takes hundreds of years for them to completely decompose in the natural environment.

Young researcher Truong Phuoc Nghia.

In Vietnam, about half a million tons of plastic is used every year to make plastic packaging and this number is increasing. Recently, scientists around the world are looking for alternative materials and some researchers have introduced self-decay packaging products. However, biodegradable products have high cost.

In response to the pressing needs of society, under the direction of Associate Prof. Dr. Ha Thuc Huy, a group of young scientific researchers of the Faculty of Materials Science (University of Natural Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City) is headed by MA. Truong Phuoc Nghia presided over and found the answer to this problem.

Young researchers used a mixture of PVA thermoplastic and plastic starch with the presence of clay minerals Montmorillonite dispersed in nanometer size, and some modified additives to make packaging products capable of distribution. Complete and rapid bio-degradation, without causing environmental pollution. Starch is an abundant source of raw materials in our country.

However, thermoplastic starch has the limitation of low mechanical properties, strong dehumidification, decomposition too fast. Mr. Truong Phuoc Nghia said, to overcome this limitation, the whole group had many sleepless nights to find the solution, finally the new solution was given, it was PVA resin and some modified additives . PVA is also one of the few polymers with true biodegradability in soil environment to form water and CO2.

From the mixture of PVA and thermoplastic starch, the product has a high applicability to produce packaging . The difference of this product is that the price is not higher than the current plastic packaging.

It is known that Mr. Truong Phuoc Nghia, the leader of the research team, is not only a young scientific researcher with highly applicable products but on the occasion of November 20 this year, he was also honored with the title of lecturer. Typical young members of Ho Chi Minh City with 3 good achievements 'good morality - good expertise - good dedication'.