โอกาสของอุตสาหกรรมกระบวนการกลั่นชีวภาพในการก้าวไปสู่เศรษฐกิจหมุนเวียน: กรณีศึกษาของคอมโพสิตชีวภาพOpportunity of Biorefinery Industry towards Circular Economy: Bio-composites Case Study

Abstract

Bio-composites, also known as green composites, produced from renewable resources are an encouraging solution for sustainable development. These materials have several social, economic, and environmental advantages over conventional petroleum-based composites. Recent studies aim to enhance the durability, performance, and ecological footprint of biocomposites, with the ultimate goal of less carbon emissions. [1]. Bio-composites are created by combining two essential materials: natural fibers and a biopolymer matrix. Natural fibers as a reinforcing part play an important role as they can withstand stress and high load. In general, composites are usually made with synthetic fibers such as glass, carbon, and aramid. However, bio-composites are made from natural eco-friendly fibers like lignocellulosic biomass combined with natural biopolymers or bioresins [2]. The composition of these fibers depends upon their resources, but lignocellulosic fibers mainly contain cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin [3]. The other part of the composite is the matrix that supports the reinforcement and distributes the load. There are three categories of renewable polymers that are used including 1) natural polymers (e.g. thermoplastic starch (TPS), cellulose, protein, etc.), 2) synthetic polymers from natural biomass feedstocks (e.g. poly(lactic acid) (PLA), etc.), and 3) synthetic polymers from microbial fermentation (e.g. poly(- hydroxy alkanoate) (PHA), poly(3- hydroxybutyrate-co-3- hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), etc.)