Research: biodegradable packaging from by-products of wood and wool

Scientists at Deakin University in Australia are turning by-products of wood and wool into biodegradable packaging. They are using cellulose from wood pulp as well as wool, silk, and nano-composites from bone material.
A 10:1 ratio of organic material is dissolved at 100 degrees Celsius. The dissolved polymers are regenerated into films, composites and fibres by coagulating in a water bath. The films are made into thin sheets of desirable thickness suitable for durable packaging, using glass plates. The biodegradable films resemble plastic – their opacity and strength varies depending on the composition of the organic ingredients (News Item Deakin University, 7 May 2014).
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