Digestate-Based Biodegradable Plant Containers for Soil Enrichment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plant containers made of synthetic materials are harmful to the environment and do not contribute to soil health or plant quality, while containers made of biological materials like wood do not adequately address environmental impact or soil health, and artificial fertilizers continue to be needed.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable container made from digestate and a cellulose-based binder, produced by pressing under controlled pressure, which integrates into the soil and provides nutrients, improving soil structure and reducing the need for artificial fertilizers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If synthetic materials such as plastics are used for containers, then structural durability and firmness are improved, but environmental harm increases and soil health deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from synthetic plastics to biodegradable organic materials (digestate, manure, straw, wood fibers) combined with natural binders (carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, proteins). This material substitution maintains structural integrity while eliminating environmental harm, as the organic materials decompose naturally and improve soil health without polluting the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite materials by combining biodegradable fillers (digestate, manure, straw, wood fibers) with natural binders (carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, proteins). This composite approach achieves both structural durability from the binder network and environmental compatibility from the organic fillers, resolving the contradiction between strength and environmental harm.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If biological materials like wood are used for containers, then environmental impact is reduced, but soil health and plant quality benefits are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the biological materials by incorporating processed organic waste (digestate, manure) as fillers, which are richer in nutrients than raw wood. This parameter change in material composition maintains environmental compatibility while significantly improving soil health through nutrient release during decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The container materials are designed to serve dual functions: providing structural support during use and then decomposing to enrich the soil. The organic fillers (digestate, manure) act as self-contained nutrient sources that automatically benefit the soil and plants after the container is buried, eliminating the need for separate fertilizer application.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If artificial fertilizers are used to support plant growth in containers, then plant quality is improved, but environmental pollution and soil degradation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container materials (digestate, manure, straw, wood fibers combined with binders) are designed to be self-fertilizing. During decomposition, these materials release nutrients naturally, providing fertilization without external artificial fertilizer input. This eliminates environmental pollution from fertilizer production and application while maintaining plant quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers and utilizes organic waste materials (digestate, manure) that would otherwise be discarded or cause environmental pollution. By incorporating these waste products into the container material, the system transforms harmful waste into beneficial nutrient sources for plants, simultaneously addressing both pollution and fertilization needs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The biodegradable container enhances sustainability by reducing waste, improving soil quality, and minimizing the need for artificial fertilizers, while maintaining structural integrity and facilitating plant growth.
Implementation Method 1
the material further comprises an added binder, in particular between 0.1 - 8 wt.％ of the binder, more in particular between 0.2 - 5 wt.％ of the binder, preferably between 0.25 - 4.5 wt.％ of the binder, wherein the binder is selected from a binder comprising at least one of a cellulose and a cellulose derivative
Implementation Method 2
the material comprises at least one of digestate and a product from a manure processing process, in particular from a manure separation process
Implementation Method 3
pressing the material
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3a~4c
Figure 5~7b
AI summary
The invention relates in general to the field of agriculture and horticulture, in particular to the field of containers for growing plants. The present invention relates to a biodegradable container for growing plants, to a method for producing the biodegradable container, and to methods for increasing efficiency of a horticultural plant growing process, for increasing the quality of soil, for reducing desiccation of soil, and for reducing the need for artificial fertilizer.