ABOUT PROJECT
The aim of the project is a development of multifunctional materials based on abundant, environmentally friendly resources from natural origin. The main function is fertilization of cultivated plants. Materials are prepared in few forms: pellets, sheets and foils. The main advantage of the pellets is very simple and convenient method of preparation and high concentration of urea as well as presence of other ingredients as a nitrogen source. Multifunctional pellet is obtained via simple, solvent-free one-step extrusion method. This process lead to thermoplasticization of solid natural source with a presence of novel group of plasticizers being both modifiers and a nitrogen source. Thermoformable pellets can be applied directly as new generation fertilizers but they can be also transformed into sheets that can be processed into containers for seedlings or into thinner films that can be applied as seed tapes with fertilizing activity. Foils can be used as compostable bags. Moreover, food processing side products will be used both as fillers and supportive agents. The main goals of the project perfectly fit into the assumptions of green chemistry, current environmental trends and circular economy. Materials are fully biodegradable and do not remain microplastics.
The project financed by The National Centre for Research and Development, Poland (TANGO V ver. A), is realized at West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin (Faculty of Food Sciences and Fisheries) in Center of Bioimmobilisation and Innovative Packaging Materials.
Short video about PolysFer materials Link