‘Green’ additives and fillers for environmentally benign biocomposites

Md Abir Uddin Talukdar, PhD student 

School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland

The urge for sustainable development has increased demand for biobased and biodegradable polymers.

When biopolymers and nature-based fibres and fillers are mixed, they are termed bio-composites. Various components known as additives are also added to improve the thermomechanical properties of these bio-composites. Additives can also make products more economically viable.

This project aims to develop, tough and environmentally benign bio-composites by combining PHA with nature-based fillers and ‘green’ additives.

This project is developed in partnership with the Minderoo Foundation, to facilitate the transition to a sustainable plastics future.