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 not well recyclable, compostable, and contribute significantly to environmental pollution, particularly through microplastic waste in water bodies, posing health risks to marine life and humans.
Innovation Solution
Development of biodegradable and compostable granules made from vegetable starch, thickening and gelling agents, and optional additives, which can be processed into various products, including articles of daily use, without using bioplastics or petroleum-based biopolymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional plastic granules are used to manufacture products, then productivity and ease of manufacture are improved, but environmental pollution and harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the granules by using vegetable starch (40-60%) and thickening/gelling agents (40-60%) instead of conventional plastics, while maintaining the granule form and manufacturing processes. This parameter change enables the material to be biodegradable and compostable while preserving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system combining vegetable starch with thickening and gelling agents (such as guar gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, or alginate) to form granules with desired properties. This composite approach maintains manufacturability while achieving biodegradability and compostability
2Object-generated harmful factors
If bioplastics are used to reduce environmental impact, then harmful factors are reduced, but complete biodegradation and compostability are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adjusts the composition parameters to use only vegetable-based starch and thickening/gelling agents without petroleum-based biopolymers, achieving complete biodegradation and compostability within weeks while maintaining reliability
3Loss of substance
If plastic products are disposed of, then loss of substance occurs, but recycling and composting are not effective
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the granules and products to be easily discarded and naturally recovered through biodegradation and composting processes. The vegetable-based composition allows for complete decomposition into natural components, eliminating the need for complex recycling infrastructure while reducing substance loss to the environment
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to biodegradable and compostable granules consisting of natural ingredients comprising starch and thickening and gelling agents and does not comprise bioplastics. According to the invention, the granules are used for producing biodegradable and preferably compostable products and articles of daily use. The present invention also relates to methods for producing the granules according to the invention, as well as methods for producing different products by using the granules according to the invention.