Cost-Effective Scalable Manufacturing of Biodegradable Wood-Plastic Composites for a Sustainable Plastics Future (2026-2027)

Plastic waste from single-use items is a growing environmental concern, especially as climate change and procurement pressures drive demand for sustainable alternatives. However, traditional biodegradable plastics often struggle with high costs, slow production, and limited real-world performance. This project aims to deliver a cost-competitive, biobased, and biodegradable alternative to problematic conventional plastics, designed for high-volume manufacturing as a seamless drop-in solution for plastic manufacturers. This project is significant as it advances a patented biocomposite technology made from natural fillers and bacteria-produced bioplastics, offering a scalable solution that combines toughness, water resistance, and full biodegradability in natural environments. The expected outcomes of this new approach include overcoming key technical barriers such as brittleness and long cycle times, which have previously limited adoption, achieved by integrating material design with a