We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Circular use of biobased plastics in agriculture and horticulture
Summary
Researchers presented outcomes from a three-year collaborative project developing biobased and biodegradable plastic products for agriculture and horticulture, demonstrating viable pathways for recycling, industrial composting, and programmed soil biodegradation across applications including growbags and plant propagation products, while introducing an online tool to help farmers select circular plastic options that minimise microplastic accumulation.
This presentation will showcase the results of a 3 year project in which Wageningen University & Research collaborated with 7 industrial partners on the development and demonstration of new biobased and biodegradable plastic products with applications in agriculture and horticulture. The project is built upon the principle that product design should encompass both functionality during use and at end-of-life. In this respect plastic products were developed specifically for recycling, industrial composting and biodegradation in soil. The presentation will showcase new challenges and opportunities for recycling of agricultural plastics. For applications that require programmed biodegradation in soil (plant propagation products and turf netting) new material formulations will be discussed and their applicability in practice is assessed in field tests. In addition, the results of greenhouse demonstrations of industrially compostable growbags and floriculture netting will be disseminated. The project results feed into a new online tool that can be used by farmers, growers and their suppliers to select the most suitable biobased plastic for optimal product circularity without the accumulation of (micro)plastics in the environment.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Programmed biodegradation of polymer blends and composites for applications in agriculture and horticulture
Researchers developed and evaluated polymer blends and composites based on PHBV, PHBH, PBS, and PLA for agricultural and horticultural applications, demonstrating through greenhouse cultivation trials that these materials retained full mechanical integrity during use and achieved programmed biodegradation after harvest, reducing the risk of persistent microplastic accumulation compared to conventional plastics.
Effect of microplastics used in agronomic practices on agricultural soil properties and plant functions: Potential contribution to the circular economy of rural areas
Researchers measured the effects of microplastics used in common agricultural practices — including mulch film residues and irrigation-delivered particles — on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Microplastic presence altered soil aggregation, water retention, and microbial community composition, with effects depending on plastic concentration, polymer type, and soil texture.
On the quest for novel bio-degradable plastics for agricultural field mulching
This review examined the challenge of developing biodegradable plastic mulch materials suitable for agricultural use, noting that plasticulture consumes about 6.7 million tons of plastic annually, most of which cannot be practically recycled. The authors assessed candidate biodegradable polymers based on their degradation rates in soil, mechanical performance, and cost.
Economia Circular E Desenvolvimento Sustentável: Compostabilidade, Biodegradação E Inovação Em Biopolímeros E Compósitos Renováveis Para Aplicações Estruturais, Agrícolas E Embalagens
This review paper summarizes research on new plant-based plastics that can break down naturally in the environment, unlike regular plastics made from oil. These eco-friendly materials could replace traditional plastic in food packaging and farming, potentially reducing the tiny plastic particles that end up in our food and water. However, the technology still needs improvements and better waste management systems before these biodegradable plastics can widely replace regular plastics.
Application of novel sustainable bio-plastic materials in horticultural production
This review covers the application of biodegradable bioplastics in horticultural production — from nursery pots and mulch films to packaging — summarizing advances in biopolymer formulation, field performance, and degradation behavior that support their use as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics.