Recyclable Cellulose Material with Protein Binder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Petroleum-based plastics have poor environmental and energy balances due to high energy and water consumption, and their disposability issues, while renewable plastics often compete with food resources and are not easily recyclable or moldable for mass production.
Innovation Solution
A recyclable material composed of 30-97% cellulose, 2-45% protein binder, and 1-20% alcohol or ester, which is compostable and can be recycled, allowing for easy processing into various molded parts and reuse in paper or cardboard cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If petroleum-based plastics are used for mass production of disposable items, then ease of manufacture and productivity are improved, but environmental harm and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using cellulose (30-97% by weight) as the primary material instead of petroleum-based plastics, combined with protein binders (2-45% by weight) and alcohol or ester additives (1-20% by weight). This parameter change enables the material to maintain thermoplastic properties for easy molding while being environmentally degradable, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining cellulose fibers with protein binders and alcohol/ester additives. This composite structure allows the material to exhibit both the processability of thermoplastics and the environmental benefits of natural materials, solving the contradiction by integrating multiple material properties into a single composite system
2Object-affected harmful factors
If renewable plastics based on food crops are used, then environmental impact is reduced, but competition with food resources and limited recyclability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the composition parameters by using non-food cellulose sources (30-97% by weight) such as wood pulp, paper waste, or cardboard waste, combined with specific protein binders (2-45% by weight) and alcohol/ester additives (1-20% by weight). This parameter configuration enables the material to be both environmentally friendly and fully recyclable through existing paper and cardboard recycling infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between environmental impact and recyclability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If paper or cardboard is used as recyclable material, then environmental friendliness is improved, but ease of molding for mass production deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters by combining cellulose material (30-97% by weight) with protein binders (2-45% by weight) and alcohol or ester additives (1-20% by weight). This parameter modification transforms ordinary paper or cardboard into a thermoplastic material that can be easily molded using standard plastic processing techniques, while maintaining environmental friendliness and recyclability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material by combining cellulose fibers from paper or cardboard with protein binders and alcohol/ester additives. This composite formulation gives the material thermoplastic properties for easy molding and mass production, while preserving the environmental benefits and recyclability of paper-based materials
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 material achieves high recyclability and compostability, reducing environmental impact by allowing for repeated recycling and biodegradable disposal, offering a thermoplastic alternative to petroleum-based plastics with improved energy and resource efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
By using a protein binder, the material can also be molded as easily as a thermoplastic
Implementation Method 2
The recyclable material according to the present invention or a molded part formed therefrom can be dissolved in water, e.g. in a pulper, whereby the cellulose material can then be separated and further processed into paper, cardboard or paperboard
Implementation Method 3
In addition, the material is fully compostable, even in household compost, enabling environmentally friendly disposal
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a recyclable material. The recyclable material comprises 30-97% by weight of cellulose material, 2-45% by weight of at least one protein binder, 1-20% by weight of at least one alcohol or ester and 0-45% by weight of at least one additive. Furthermore, the present application relates to a process for producing a recyclable material and to a molded part produced therefrom.