Cereal waste biomass is a potential source of valuable compounds such as bio-based fibres that can be used in new potential applications. This is the case of the microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) which is a novel type of cellulose with nano-scale dimensions and very interesting properties for the development of composite materials due to its high strength and stiffness combined with its low weight, biodegradability and renewability.
One of the main objectives of the FUNKIFIBRE project is to obtain MFC from cereal residues coming out from the manufacturing of oat-based food products which contain important cellulose contents. Another main objective of the project is to modify the MFC to make it suitable for the development of plastic composites.
The final goal is to obtain new materials for packaging applications achieving better mechanical and barrier properties. This will make possible the generation of lighter packages and the improvement of limited properties of some bio-based and biodegradable plastics.
Source: EnvirocentreNews.ie – Flahavan’s Involved in European Bio-Recycling Project
