Estudio de materiales compuestos bio-basados reforzados con fibras naturales para potenciales aplicaciones de empaque.

Sustainable and biodegradable composite are gaining interest in recent years due to the environmental
pollution caused by conventional plastics. Biobased polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) or
polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) are attractive since their biological source could lead to reducing the
environment effect through composting. Furthermore, its chemical constitution allows modification and thus
increase its physical and mechanical properties by reinforcement with natural fibers. Our approach, suggest
that they may be potential substitutes for conventional composite materials. PLA and PHB have emerged
as the most promising matrix material for sustainable biocomposites thanks to their excellent mechanical
and thermal properties, biodegradability, and antibacterial properties. PLA-based composite materials are
widely used in various sectors, due to their cost-effectiveness and properties. The mechanical and thermal
properties of PLA composites can be significantly affected by the type of fiber used and the adhesion
between the fiber and the matrix.
In Costa Rica, there is an important production of biowaste, for example, pineapple. About 4.5 million tons
of biomass annually are produced after the pineapple harvest in ca. 40 thousand hectares (REFs).
Pineapple leaf fiber (PLF) is a product that can be extracted from this waste. The use of natural fibers is
viable due to their continuous supply, easy and safe handling and their biodegradable nature. Composites
are possible to produce using natural fiber and biobased polymers potential applications in biodegradable
materials. The use of PLF in thermoplastic composites aims to improve the mechanical, thermal and
biological properties in final products.
Uruguay has a development strategy where the bioeconomy plays a prominent role, through which the
country consolidates and diversifies its productive matrix by betting on an economic model based on the
sustainable, efficient and innovative use of its biological and natural resources. In recent years, hemp
production has expanded because it is a high-yield crop with versatile uses due to the high quality of the
cellulose in its stems and the oil in its seeds, as well as the valuable resins of the inflorescence. It is an
emerging crop that, thanks to its conditions, is used to provide products in multiple areas, such as textiles,
biocomposites, paper manufacturing, automotive, construction, biofuels, functional foods, oil, cosmetics,
and the pharmaceutical industry.
Biobased composite may be used in the future as biodegradable material for packaging applications.
Additionally, the current state of 3D printing with PLA reinforced with natural fibers and its potential in 4D
printing for stimuli-sensitive polymers have been investigated. 3D printing allows for the creation of
complex and customized structures, while 4D printing adds the ability for these materials to respond to
external stimuli, such as temperature or humidity, by changing their shape or properties.

Desarrollar mediante técnicas de termoformado un material compuesto a
base de polímeros bio-basados con fibras naturales para potenciales aplicaciones comerciales.

Soluciones químicas para el desarrollo.