Lab to Industry

Abstract

In terms of environmental and socio-economic benefits, the utilization of agro-fiber wastes in pulp-based product manufacturing is advantageous. Non-wood plant pulp production has shattered, and numerous non-wood fiber resources are being commercially used to make chemical pulp and paper in China, India, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey. Agricultural wastes, including rice and wheat straws, sorghum stalks, and annual plants like hemp and jute, are being utilized as raw materials for pulp and paper manufacture. In addition, various research has been carried out to introduce novel cellulose and hemicellulose fiber resources, such as sugarcane bagasse, for pulp and tableware production as a replacement for plastic-based containers and wood pulp-based products. The new concept introduced for tableware production is manufacturing biodegradable containers. Biodegradation refers to material degradation into one of the environmentally accepted components like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass through natural actions. Undoubtedly, an environmental issue resulted from the burning of sugarcane residuals and the usage of synthetic plastic-based products. These are the driving forces for developing a new manufacturing system for biodegradable molded tableware from bagasse fiber pulp.