University of Energy develops bio-degradable plastic
The Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), has developed bio-degradable plastics from corn starch.
The material is of various forms of texture – soft, semi-soft and hard depending on the purpose for its usage when produced on industrial scale.
Dr Mark Amo-Boateng, a lecturer at the Department disclosed this to the media on Wednesday in Sunyani after Mr Robert Porter Jackson, the United States Ambassador, visited the University’s Earth Observation Research and Innovation Centre as part of his three- day working visit to the Brong-Ahafo Region.
Dr Amo-Boateng who is the Deputy Head of the Centre, explained that unlike the non-bio-degradable plastic materials, the products could degrade within one month and could also be used for all packaging purposes.
He said the material “is edible” and could safely be consumed by both humans and animals.
He said the University would continue to do further research to identify how the innovation could be up-scaled.
Mr Jackson applauded the Department and the Centre for doing great jobs, saying the innovation was quite interesting.
The US Ambassador later planted a seedling of Terminerlia Superba, a local lumber tree called ‘Ofram’ to symbolise his visit to the University.
Source: GNA