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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
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Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste
Published on: July 18, 2025
Life-cycle and techno-economic analyses of agro-waste-derived biodegradable plastics enhanced via AI-based parametric
Abhishek Kumar Singh1, Md Monjurul Islam2, Parul Sharma1
1Department of Biotechnology Engineering, University Institutes of Engineering, Chandigarh University, Punjab, 140413, India.
Environmental Research
|June 4, 2026
Summary
This study developed a biodegradable plastic from agricultural waste (sago and jackfruit starches). The eco-friendly film shows promising mechanical properties, rapid soil degradation, and cost-competitiveness with conventional plastics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Growing environmental concerns regarding petrochemical plastics necessitate biodegradable alternatives.
- Agricultural waste presents an underutilized resource for sustainable material development.
- Starch-based bioplastics offer a potential eco-friendly solution to plastic pollution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a biodegradable plastic sheet from sago and jackfruit starches.
- To optimize production parameters using response surface methodology and artificial neural networks.
- To evaluate the mechanical properties, degradation, environmental impact, and economic viability of the starch-based bioplastic.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of starch-based biodegradable plastic using sago, jackfruit starch, glycerol, sorbitol, and acetic acid.
- Optimization of operating parameters via response surface approach and artificial neural network modeling.
- Assessment of mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus), solvent resistance, and soil biodegradability.
- Life-cycle assessment (LCA) for global warming potential and techno-economic analysis for cost-competitiveness.
Main Results:
- Optimal synthesis parameters yielded a bioplastic with 1.659 MPa tensile strength, 63.18% elongation at break, and 104.26 MPa Young's modulus.
- The biodegradable film demonstrated good solvent resistance and 80% degradation within 10 days of soil burial.
- Life-cycle assessment indicated a global warming potential of 1,220 kg CO2eq per tonne of film, primarily due to additives and energy consumption.
- Techno-economic analysis projected a competitive minimum selling price of USD 1.67/kg, lower than polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoate.
Conclusions:
- Starch-based bioplastics from agricultural waste offer a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional plastics.
- The developed material exhibits favorable mechanical properties and biodegradability, suitable for packaging and low-load applications.
- Scalable production is feasible, supported by positive environmental and economic assessments, contributing to a circular economy.
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