Fabricating Starch-Based Bioplastic Reinforced with Bagasse for Food Packaging

Nowadays, food packaging plastics is one of the largest markets that consume thermoplastics. Regardless, the packaging industry accounts for the majority of plastic waste that is polluting the environment. Furthermore, because petroleum sources are limited and on the verge of depletion, there is a need to develop alternative materials that can perform the same functions as conventional plastics. Hence, many solutions have emerged in the now time being. Biopolymers have demonstrated great potential as green materials, despite their poor market penetration. They can be a very remarkable alternative and moreover possess an outstanding friendliness characteristic. Bioplastics are a critical key player in turning the plastics sector from a wasteful linear economy to a circular economy. Their expanding use will have better impacts, not just in terms of the environment and economy, but also in terms of functionality. This paper has been attempted to accomplish a biopolymer—made out of starch and sugarcane bagasse pulp in the regard of replacing the current standard plastic as packaging material. The results state the fabricated biopolymer of starch and bagasse composite is very prominent to take the lead as packing material of future possibilities for green material adoption. Moreover, the addition of the bagasse enhanced the mechanical property, and the castor oil boosted the flexibility and hence elongation. Through such work of the article, the conclusion of the bio-based film to compete at a superior level with the current plastic film properties in the market is basically proved. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.