Vietnamese Scientists Come Up with Natural Plastic
Summary posted by Meridian on 1/9/2009
Source: Thanh Nien News
Author: Tuoi Tre
Research scientists from the University of Sciences in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, have developed a material to make biodegradable plastic bags that have several advantages over ones currently imported into Vietnam. The material is made with nanotechnology and is a nanocomposite of thermoplastic starch, plyvinyl alchohol (PVA), and food additives. The starch can be produced from locally abundant wheat and cassava. The resulting plastic bags are less expensive than their imported counterparts and can be re-used many times as long as they do not come into contact with water. According to Associate Professor Ha Thuc Huy, if their group "...receives adequate sponsorship to do more research on industrial production, products made of the new material can be launched in the market within a year." He added that if they do not receive funding from the Vietnamese government, they may look to cooperate with a foreign partner. The article can be viewed online at the link below.
The original article may still be available at www.thanhniennews.com/education/?catid=4&newsid=45235
As tagged by Meridian Institute:
Implications:
Human Enhancement, Economic Competitiveness, Socio-Economic Effects
Materials And Manufacturing:
Plastics
Regions:
East and South Asia and the Pacific
Stakeholders:
Government, Industry, Academia, International Institutions
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