A Performance Study on 3D-Printed Bioplastic Pots from Soybean By-Products

Arup Dey (), Md Mahbubar Rahman, Anunay Gupta, Nita Yodo and Chiwon W. Lee ()
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Arup Dey: School of Engineering, Math, and Technology, Navajo Technical University, Crownpoint, NM 87313, USA
Md Mahbubar Rahman: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USA
Anunay Gupta: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USA
Nita Yodo: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USA
Chiwon W. Lee: Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USA

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-17

Abstract: Sustainability is a key factor in the development of new materials for plant pots, given the significant environmental impact of traditional plastic-based pots. Researchers have paid attention to developing biodegradable and sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based pots. In this study, two novel bioplastic formulations are developed, which incorporated soy-based by-product fractions to produce plant pots with self-fertilizing capability while also being cost-competitive. A 3D-printing process, fused filament fabrication, is used to produce plant containers from the filaments of soy-based new materials. Further, a small-scale greenhouse experiment is conducted to compare the performance of the soy-based 3D-printed bioplastic pots with pure polylactic acid (PLA) 3D-printed pots and traditional plastic pots, by growing a fruit-bearing plant (tomato) and a flowering plant (zinnia). Plant growth properties and root circling are analyzed, and the results show that the soy-based pots performed comparably to traditional plastic pots, especially in dry conditions, and also reduced root circling. While a more in-depth analysis is necessary, these initial findings suggest that using soy-based fractions and 3D-printing technology could provide a sustainable approach to developing plant pots, which could reduce the environmental impact of plastic-based containers and improve plant health.

Keywords: bioplastic; 3D printing; biocomposite; biodegradability; soybean; plant pots; sustainable (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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