Creation of Cost Competitive Biodegradable Films from Renewable Resources for Agriculture

Plasticulture describes the use of plastics in agriculture, and encompasses a variety of materials including agricultural mulch film. Plasticulture enables farmers to extend both the growing season and the land area that can be used for profitable crop production. The disadvantage is that removal and disposal of polyolefin plastics is required after harvest. The objective of this project is to develop agricultural mulch films from renewable materials that can be tilled into the soil after harvest and that will sufficiently degrade prior to the following growing season. This new technology will improve production of fruits and vegetables by eliminating the requirement to remove and dispose of agricultural mulch film thereby reducing costs. This technology will also create environmental benefits by reducing the amount of petroleum derived plastic fragments that persist in soils, lakes, rivers and oceans, and by reducing the amount of farming waste that goes into landfills. DaniMer Scientific will work with farmers and with agricultural extension agents from land grant universities to extensively test performance of these new materials across a broad array of soils and growing conditions. Some of the anticipated results and benefits that can be projected are: " Increased profitability for vegetable producers " Reduced use of plastics derived from petroleum " Reduced demand on limited landfill space for plastic disposal " Reduced cost and labor for removal of agricultural mulch film " Reduction of plastic fragments that persist in soils, lakes, rivers and oceans " Increased sustainability of farming and plasticulture practices