Rajkot: Scientists have found environmentally friendly choices for plastic used in food packaging, cosmetics, and other products.
Bio-polymers developed by scientists at the Institute of Fisheries Technology Center (CIFT) made of seaweed, which has been scientifically proven to be used as human food and industrial industry packaged nutrition.
In Rajkot himself, which has emerged as the Farsan Industry Hub (fried snacks), almost 40 tons of plastic waste produced every day and the majority are Namkeen wrappers.
After four years of research, scientists at the Veraval-based Fisheries Technology Institute (CIFT) have developed biodegradable plastic films extracted from seaweed.
This film, they said, would be a game changer instead of plastic used in food packaging.
Veraval CIFT is given a project to find seaweed extract which can be a cheaper and biodegradable choice for plastic.
CIFT is set to submit technology to industry for commercial production.
“Biopolymers provide an excellent alternative to polymers who are reduced by petroleum because they are environmentally friendly and are available naturally.
Not only biodegradable agents but antimicrobials, anti-fungal compounds and nano silver particles that have anti-bacterial properties can also be added.
Do it, clearly Ashish Kumar Jha, one of the scientists who works on the project.
Food companies such as those who make fried snacks using multi-layer plastic which makes content stay fresh.
But after being discarded, such plastic causes chaos with the Earth’s ecosystem because hundreds of years are needed to be destroyed.
The main component for this is so that what is extracted from seaweed.
To be known for the ability of excellent gel formation, bio compatibility, thermo plasticity and hence tested as an alternative to petroleum-based plastic packaging materials.
Nano silver particles reinforced with films to have Antibacterial function Can preserve good packed food with expanded shelf life.
The source says there is great potential to make these bio-polymers along the Long Gujarat coastline.
If it is scaled, it can produce work too and create a new business road for locals.
The discovery was discussed at the webinar on the ‘secondary raw material: a New Avenue in the fisheries business’ held by CIFT last week under Bharat Ka Amrut Mahotsav, the central government initiative to commemorate 75 years of Indian independence.
The importance of seaweed is also discussed together with other problems regarding the fisheries industry in this program attended by MP Junagadh Rajesh Chudasama and CIFT Director CN Ravishankankar.