Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Super Plastic Developed from Fruit Fibres

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brasil, Apr 11 2011 (IPS) - Researchers at the State University of São Paulo have created a new plastic ideal for use in automobiles from fruit fibres, using nanotechnology. “Nano-cellulose fibres are extremely small fibres obtained through the intensive processing of cellulose, the basic substance that comprises wood and other parts of plants. We obtained the best results with pineapples and bananas,” researcher Alcides Leão told Tierramérica.

The new super plastic is 30 percent lighter and four times stronger than petroleum-based plastic, and would be ideally suited for car parts such as bumpers and body panels, the researchers say. Moreover, plants are a renewable and non-polluting raw material, unlike petroleum.

“The production system is more costly, but the cheaper raw material makes it economically viable. I believe this plastic will be on the market in two years,” added Leão.