Granulate of only natural constitutions; granulate for the manufacture of composable products and method for manufacturing the granulate and the products obtained therefrom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plastic products are neither easily recyclable nor compostable, leading to significant environmental damage and ecological footprint, with bioplastics like PLA not proven to be completely degradable or compostable, resulting in a ban on their use in single-use products and a need for environmentally friendly alternatives.
Innovation Solution
Development of biodegradable and compostable granules made from purely plant-based components, including vegetable starch, natural fibers, and gelling agents, with optional additives like glycerin and natural waxes, which can be processed into various products using injection molding and are designed to be easily recyclable and compostable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional plastic granules are used for manufacturing products, then ease of manufacture and productivity are improved, but environmental harm and persistence in ecosystems worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the granulate from conventional plastics to a mixture of vegetable starch (75-90 wt%), thickening/gelling agents (5-20 wt%), and optional natural additives (0-10 wt%). This parameter change transforms the material from non-biodegradable plastic to biodegradable granulate that can be composted, resolving the environmental harm issue while maintaining manufacturability through standard granule processing techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining multiple natural components: vegetable starch as the base material, thickening and gelling agents for structural properties, and optional natural additives like fibers, waxes, or oils for enhanced functionality. This composite approach achieves both environmental compatibility and the necessary mechanical properties for product manufacturing
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bioplastics like PLA are used as alternatives, then environmental friendliness is improved, but complete degradability and compostability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic synthetic polymer components from bioplastic formulations. By removing PLA and other synthetic bioplastics that fail to completely degrade, the invention uses only naturally occurring, fully compostable materials such as vegetable starch and natural thickening agents, ensuring complete biodegradability while maintaining environmental friendliness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the compositional parameters to exclude synthetic bioplastic components and uses only naturally derived materials with proven complete compostability. The specific ratio of vegetable starch (75-90 wt%) combined with natural thickening agents creates a material system that reliably degrades completely, unlike conventional bioplastics
3Reliability
If purely plant-based granules are developed, then biodegradability and compostability are improved, but material density and stability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a composite material system where vegetable starch provides biodegradability, while thickening and gelling agents contribute structural stability and mechanical strength. Optional natural additives such as fibers, waxes, and oils further enhance specific properties. This composite structure achieves both complete biodegradability and sufficient material stability for practical applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different functional components to address different requirements: vegetable starch for biodegradability, thickening agents for structural integrity, and optional additives for specific property enhancement. Each component contributes locally to the overall material performance, achieving both biodegradability and stability through functional differentiation
4Adaptability or versatility
If natural additives are included in the granulate, then functional properties are improved, but manufacturing complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes optional additives (natural fibers, waxes, oils, preservatives, colorants, fragrances) optional rather than mandatory. The base formulation of vegetable starch and thickening agents can be produced without these additives, maintaining simple manufacturing. When specific functional properties are needed, the optional additives can be incorporated, providing versatility without forcing complexity on all production scenarios
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 granules and resulting products are completely biodegradable, compostable within a short timeframe, and have a positive CO2 balance, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics with high material density and stability, reducing environmental impact and enabling the production of a wide range of everyday items.
Implementation Method 1
The granules and the product resulting therefrom are biodegradable and preferably compostable
Implementation Method 2
The granules have a residual moisture content of 10-30%, preferably 15-22%
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
The present invention relates to biodegradable and compostable granules comprising starch, natural fibers, and optionally thickening and gelling agents, and does not include any bioplastic. According to the invention, the granules are used to manufacture biodegradable and preferably compostable products and consumer goods. The present invention also relates to methods for producing the granules according to the invention, as well as methods for manufacturing different products using the granules according to the invention.