Ground-breaking science development could see grass replace plastics

A scientist from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Belfast has invented a revolutionary new process which could see carrier bags, packaging and even mechanical components made out of grass.

Professor Shekhar Sharma, based at AFBI in Newforge in south Belfast, has unveiled the ground-breaking development, iGrass 2.0, which has an estimated value of over £1bn in Northern Ireland alone.

The process involves the ‘bio-refining’ of plant biomass, to create a more environmentally friendly way to manufacture packaging, bin liners, pipes, biomedical products and other produce traditionally made out of plastics.
It takes 430,000 gallons of oil to produce just 100m non-degradable plastic bags.  

Five trillion are used worldwide every year.

Professor Shekhar Sharma spoke to delegates made up of scientists, engineers, researchers and the business community as part of the Frontiers in Science and Technology lecture series delivered by NISP CONNECT at the Northern Ireland Science Park.

He told attendees that pilot trials of the product are currently in progress with an initial aim to market and develop iGrass 2.0 within the all-Ireland plastic film manufacturing base.

“This product could be used in the bags we take home from the supermarket and in many other ways.

“The raw material is biomass such as grass, which is abundant, easy to produce and more environmentally friendly than current ingredients used to make plastic bags.

“Farmers grow it, they use it as feed, and they sometimes have surplus. We could even use the clippings from when people mow the lawn.”

Professor Sharma said the development could change the way we live, work and shop in the future:

“Industry and science and agriculture can work much more closely together to solve problems.

“The new products are strong, lightweight and in the case of bags and packaging, biodegradable and with a much smaller carbon footprint.”

Professor Sharma’s ground-breaking work is just one inspiration for people across Northern Ireland wishing to take part in one of the biggest opportunities for local inventors this year.

INVENT2014, run by the Northern Ireland Science Park in partnership with Bank of Ireland, is a competition to find the best of the best inventive ideas and turn them into a commercial reality.  

The closing date for entries to INVENT2014 is next Friday, 4th April.  For more information on INVENT2014, visit www.invent2014.co.uk
 

Notes to editors: 

AFBI carries out high quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DARD and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies. 

AFBI's Vision is “Scientific excellence in Northern Ireland …  serving the world”.

All media enquiries to AFBI Press Office

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