A manufacturing process for biodegradable food-grade plastic based on natural beeswax and plant-based ingredients.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing biodegradable food-grade plastic, using natural beeswax as the main material combined with plant-based ingredients such as starch to produce a plastic material suitable for food use.The process allows for the production of a biodegradable, flexible, and stable plastic, free from harmful chemicals. The method includes the following steps: purification of beeswax through thermal filtration or mild biological solvents, preparation of a starch paste from plant-based starch (corn, potato, rice), addition of vegetable glycerin, melting and mixing in a temperature-controlled reactor, molding into shapes suitable for food packaging products, and cooling of the final product.The resulting composition contains specific proportions of beeswax (60–75%), starch (15–20%), glycerin (5–10%), and other natural additives. The final plastic exhibits mechanical and thermal properties suitable for food use, including optimal flexibility, adequate mechanical strength, and thermal resistance ranging from 0°C to 60°C, while being fully biodegradable and leaving no polluting residues in the environment.