Oil Plant Pomace as a Raw Material in Technology of Sustainable Thermoplastic Polymer Composites

Karolina Lipska, Izabela Betlej, Katarzyna Rybak, Małgorzata Nowacka and Piotr Boruszewski ()
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Karolina Lipska: Institute of Wood Sciences and Furniture, Department of Technology and Entrepreneurship in Wood Industry, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska St., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Izabela Betlej: Institute of Wood Sciences and Furniture, Department of Wood Science and Wood Protection, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska St., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Katarzyna Rybak: Institute of Food Sciences, Department of Food Engineering and Process Management, Warsaw University of Life Science—SGGW, 159C Nowoursynowska St., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Małgorzata Nowacka: Institute of Food Sciences, Department of Food Engineering and Process Management, Warsaw University of Life Science—SGGW, 159C Nowoursynowska St., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Piotr Boruszewski: Institute of Wood Sciences and Furniture, Department of Technology and Entrepreneurship in Wood Industry, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska St., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-22

Abstract: The design of composites offers extensive opportunities for controlling parameters and utilizing diverse materials, including those sourced from recycling or waste streams. In this study, biocomposites were developed using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and pomace derived from oilseed plants such as evening primrose, gold of pleasure, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds, mixed in a 1:1 ratio. These biocomposites were evaluated for their structural, mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties, as well as their vulnerability to overgrowth by cellulolytic fungi. The results indicate that incorporating plant waste into HDPE reduces thermal stability while increasing water absorption and thickness swelling. Additionally, the biocomposites showed enhanced fungal growth, which may improve their biodegradability. Notably, the PE_EP composite, derived from evening primrose pomace, did not show significant differences in surface roughness and MOE parameters compared to pure polyethylene. In the case of PE_R composite, an increase in MOE was observed while maintaining the MOR parameter compared to pure PE. Although generally the mechanical properties of composites were lower compared to pure polyethylene, the findings suggest that with further optimization, oil plant pomace can be a valuable raw material for producing biocomposites suitable for various industrial applications, thereby contributing to sustainability and effective waste recycling.

Keywords: biocomposites; plant waste; natural fibers; polyethylene; thermoplastics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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