Making nylon from cassava

The bio-plastic type made from cassava flour is completely biodegradable after 60 days of being buried underground.

Every year, big cities of Vietnam produce about 200,000 tons of plastic, of which plastic bags and plastic packages are 150,000 tons. Most of this number is buried, causing environmental pollution and wasting land resources. Facing that situation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Vinh, Head of the Department of Chemical Technology at Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City, has researched and produced a new bio-polymer made from cassava flour. Prospective products that replace non-biodegradable nylon are currently being condemned to cause harm to the environment.

Test using packaging made from cassava flour containing items (left) and packaging forms after eyelid grafting.Photo: TV

Durable

According to Associate Prof. Dr. Truong Vinh, this bio-polymer film has the main ingredients from cassava starch, combined with glycerol and some additives are mixed in a certain ratio. After mixing, the mixture is put into molding into a thin sheet like normal nylon. The next step is to dry and create a slightly translucent white product, capable of applying for packaging. From these membranes, the researcher proceeds to shape the bag. With seams to be laminated with a heat sealing press, the strength of these eyelids is 60% of the strength of the packaging.

To create this type of biodegradable nylon, according to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Vinh, just need to use raw cassava flour which is normally sold in many markets.

Up to now, at the laboratory scale, the author has created several dozen bags of cassava flour with dimensions of 9 cm x 19 cm, capable of storing objects weighing from 0.5 kg - 1 kg. This plastic bag has the same durability as chemical plastic, ensuring food hygiene and safety.

Decomposes completely after 60 days

Regarding the ability to decompose, Dr. Truong Vinh said that after only 60 days of being buried in the ground, the polymer film above will undergo the process of being infected with bacteria, yeast and enzymes as a food source, through which the shape The original of that substance disappears. Biodegradation process is relatively fast, non-toxic and does not threaten the environment. If soaked in water, only after a few days the bag will completely decompose.

The most feasible application today is to use this plastic as a packaging for dry items. Particularly for foods with high humidity, it is necessary to add some substances to enhance the waterproofing ability of the materials. In addition, thanks to its biodegradability, cassava-based nylon can be used as a nursery bag for a period of time after being buried underground.