Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has developed a technology to prepare biodegradable films employing extrusion processing which can be easily scale up industrially. It is an intelligent technological advancement for the economical & environmental solution for the plastics packaging films. It has a comparable mechanical and barrier properties with commercially available stretch wrap films and no specific environment is required for its degradation.

 SILENT FEATURES

• Films prepared using only biopolymers no petroleum based polymers are used.
  
• Films prepared by using extrusion processing thus making process amenable for industrial scale up.
  
• Films have mechanical and barrier properties similar to that of commercial films.

APPLICATIONS

• Can be used for food packaging.
  
• Can be used for general purpose packaging such as carry bags.

Petroleum based packaging materials are threat to environment due to their non-biodegradability and non-renewability. Biopolymers based films could provide suitable alternatives for these petroleum based products. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has developed a technology to prepare biodegradable films employing extrusion processing which can be easily scale up industrially. It is an intelligent technological advancement for the economical & environmental solution for the plastics packaging films. It has a comparable mechanical and barrier properties with commercially available stretch wrap films and no specific environment is required for its degradation.

ADVANTAGES

• Can be easily prepared using locally available raw materials.
• Have suitable mechanical and barrier properties for general purpose packaging applications and food packaging applications
• Easy process which is amenable for industrial scale up
  

APPLICATIONS

• Can be used for general purpose packaging
• Can be used for making carry bags
• Can be used for food packaging
  

TECHNOLOGY IN BRIEF

Proposed technology is methodology for preparing biodegradable films using extrusion process. Process involves three steps:

1. preparation of thermoplastic starch
2. making compound of thermoplastic starch and poly lactic acid in twin screw extruder
3. making films by blown film extrusion

INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS
a. Raw Materials required

• Guar gum

All the raw materials required are available in the local market.

b. Equipments

• Overhead stirrer with motor
• Food irradiator (commercial food irradiation facilities are available in different parts of the country),
• Freeze drier
  

c. Space

• Factory shade of 600 ft² area (30' x 20') with DM water facilities.
  

d. Power

• Three phase power connection.
  

e. Manpower

Minimum two laboratory technician are required for production of one ton of PHGG. Actual manpower would depend on production capacity.