Asia Pacific Infrastructure: August - September 2021

Page 36

August - September 2021

WASTE MANAGEMENT

T

he crucial discovery has been made by Jiaying Li, who is working with the Dutch Advanced Research Center Chemical Building Blocks Consortium (ARC CBBC), in collaboration with the University of Twente, Wageningen University, BASF and AkzoNobel. The research is focused on a new, recyclable coating to replace the type of “metallised” packaging (which blocks out oxygen) that’s typically used for products such as crisps and coffee. Currently, this sort of packaging consists of several layers, each with its own function. As well as requiring a lot of energy to produce, it’s also difficult to recycle. A process has now been devised which involves the smart combination of two water-soluble polymers (polyelectrolytes), resulting in all the functionality being delivered by one recyclable layer. The next step in the research is to use bio-derived polyelectrolytes. These polyelectrolytes are 100 percent natural, extracted, for example, from shrimp shells or waste from the wood processing industry. “The use of polyelectrolytes in the coatings industry is not new,” explains

36 infrastructurenews.co.nz

On the cusp of sealing revolution A future where food packaging no longer contains aluminium has moved a step closer Andre van Linden, AkzoNobel’s Director of Coatings Technology. “But these coatings are normally built up, step-bystep, so industrialisation of this method would be too complex, time consuming, expensive and impractical. “However, the new onestep approach that’s being developed through the ARC CBBC means the use of polyelectrolytes is much

closer to becoming industrialised.” Li is a PhD student at the University of Twente. “Our initial results show that the coating has great potential for future use in packaging to protect food from oxidation. “We’re also focusing on improving other properties, such as water resistance and strength.” No organic solvents are

used and the packaging would be easy to recycle. “With the versatility of natural polyelectrolytes, we’re entering the era of becoming less dependent on synthesized polymers,” continues Li. “In the end, the polyelectrolyte coating we’re developing might be less shiny, but it will serve the same purpose and make recycling much easier.”


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Articles inside

Further mortgage restrictions coming as house price growth continues

7min
pages 102-106

Is this the turning point of New Zealand’s property market?

6min
pages 100-101

Property investor confidence hits record highs

12min
pages 96-99

Preventing collapsing structures

2min
page 94

Kiwi innovation leading the way in concrete slab insulation

2min
page 95

Will the reformed RMA actually help deliver more housing?

5min
pages 88-90

Australia to slash planning times by 25 percent

1min
page 91

Facilities management with personal service

1min
pages 82-83

Residential construction reforms save time and improve quality control

10min
pages 84-87

China builds 10-storey tower in a day

1min
page 81

Chemical safety relies on meaningful cooperation

3min
pages 76-80

Infrastructure Skills Centre offers “work experience for a lifetime”

3min
pages 74-75

Safety app a crucial element in building site safety

3min
pages 72-73

Cordless machines and safer technologies will save lives

11min
pages 66-70

Is standardised training the way forward?

2min
page 71

Unlearning misguided muscle training keeps you pain free at home and work

6min
pages 62-63

Tips and myths around dogs

2min
pages 60-61

Safety focus on crane service standards

4min
pages 64-65

Bastion NZ launch Industrial glove range

1min
pages 58-59

Industry leader in soft fall protection on construction sites

2min
pages 56-57

Wood waste to take aluminium's place in food packaging

1min
page 35

No better investment than chemical safety training

3min
page 45

Thermal recycling - part of the solution not part of the problem

9min
pages 31-34

Scholarships supporting tomorrow’s health and safety leaders

1min
pages 52-53

What is workplace harassment and how to prevent it

2min
pages 54-55

How to become a successful green business

5min
pages 29-30

Winning the last mile in the supply chain race

2min
page 36

Can a vaccine for cattle help the dairy sector cut methane emissions?

6min
pages 27-28

The three paths to net-zero

5min
pages 20-22

The consequences of banning oil and gas exploration

4min
pages 25-26

Is hydrogen the future of energy?

4min
pages 23-24

AC Filter - an engineered solution protecting worker health

1min
page 13

Are we forgetting national self-sufficiency?

6min
pages 4-9

Schneider: data centres and smart homes

6min
pages 10-12

In search of the perfect surface - contractor invents new earth compactor

2min
pages 14-15

Climate change kicks into gear

3min
page 3
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