Background

Researchers have developed of a new class of plastic materials based on starting materials derived from cheap, renewable and biodegradable natural resources - specifically wood waste from the timber industry. Close to 90% of today’s commodity plastics (which are predominantly synthetic polymers) are created from materials derived from fossil fuels; 87% of these contribute to plastic waste and landfill. In 2018-2019 alone, Australians used 3.4 million tonnes of plastic, inclusive of one million tonnes of single use plastic, with only ~13% of all plastics being recycled. With an increased focus on environmental sustainability and a move away from fossil fuel resources, our research team at the University of Tasmania is dedicated to developing bio-based plastic materials that will have