Project is done at Aalto University, CHEM
Material Development by Elizaveta Lingonberg
Polysaccharides Foam
Packaging foam, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), is environmentally problematic due to its non-renewable plastic content and long decomposition time in landfills. It's also challenging and costly to recycle, and often ends up polluting oceans, posing risks to wildlife.
Can polysaccharides - natural biopolymers - offer a sustainable alternative?
This developed foam is based on polysaccharides, by properties it is very soft:
What is special about this foam?
Most commercial bio-based foams use cellulose from wood, which is an excellent and sustainable option.
This project, on the other hand, explores creating foam from polysaccharides derived from alternative biomass, such as algae, gum plants, shrimp shells, fruit peels, and vegetables.
This approach aims to discover new, sustainable resources for material development, bring more varied options to the table, and enhance our understanding of how many different components from alternative biomass can be used for creating sustainable packaging in addition to wood.
September 2024
October 2024
Project started August 2024
Status: in progress
Last update: 21.10.2024