Backcross Abaca with Native and Desirable Accessions to Lift Up the Abaca Industry (BANDALA) abaca hybrid. (Image credit: CRD, DOST-PCAARRD)
A new research initiative aims to produce eco-friendly bioplastic films reinforced with nanocellulose derived from the Backcross Abaca with Native and Desirable Accessions to Lift Up the Abaca Industry (BANDALA) abaca hybrid.
The project, “Application of Cellulose Nanocrystals Extracted from BANDALA Fiber as Reinforcement Material in Starch-Based Bioplastic Film,” is implemented by the Forest Products Research and Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-FPRDI) with funding support of DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
BANDALA is an abaca hybrid developed by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) that has resistance to the abaca bunchy top virus (ABTV). With this, the project will explore its potential use for bioplastic film production as a value-adding product from BANDALA fibers.
Led by Dr. Anniver Ryan P. Lapuz, the project team will assess the effect of pulping and bleaching to the cellulose pulp from BANDALA fibers, characterize the properties of the extracted cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), test different CNC amounts in starch-based bioplastic films, and determine the production costs of CNC and CNC-reinforced starch-based bioplastic films.
According to Dr. Lapuz, the bioplastic film that will be developed by the project could serve as an alternative to synthetic or petroleum-based plastic films, which can help reduce plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
The project will be implemented for 2 years. It is expected to benefit abaca and cassava farmers, abaca traders, researchers, and the pulp, paper, and plastic industries.
The project officially kicked off during an inception meeting organized by DOST-PCAARRD led by Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services (ARMSS) Melvin B. Carlos, along with Crops Research Division (CRD) Director Leilani D. Pelegrina, in UPLB, Los Baños, Laguna.