Modelling and water footprint of biodegradable films based on cassava starch

Abstract

Packaging plays a key role in the reduction of food waste, as it improves the preservation of foodstuffs and rations the space during handling, shipping, and storage. An option in order to fulfill this requirement occur through the bio-based plastics, or more specifically, films or biodegradable films. The development of biodegradable films for packaging materials that can be used as a substitute for petrochemical polymers is an interesting perspective. Potential environmental benefits of biodegradable films based on cassava starch with different scenarios has been evaluated through the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) by our research group. In that study we observed that producing cassava starch films consumes an expressive amount of water along the production chain, specifically during the cassava starch extraction. That stage expends about 24 - 40 m³/ton starch. This performance has also environmental impacts in terms of effluent generation, treatment and, final emission. A possible solution to mitigate and/ or reduce adverse effects would be the implementation of these wastewater treatment technologies. This project proposes an approach based on assess the water footprint of the production of biodegradable films based on cassava starch in different modelling of technologies of treatments of effluents.With the acquisition of theoretic and practical knowledge about modelling, wastewater treatment technique and water footprint to reduce impact on the environment and impact of water use, expected to transfer of knowledge for active industrial sector. (AU)