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| Biodegradable spray takes form | |
An exciting new spray promises to replace plastic film in many agricultural and horticultural applications. A mixture of natural polymers can be sprayed over the ground in substitution for black plastic film (PA-polyethylene and EVA-ethylene vinylacetate) used to suppress the growth of weeds. These plastic films that are not bio-degradable. Neither are they suitable for recycling after use because they are usually contaminated with herbicides and fertilizers. About 80% is usually thrown away or burnt with the consequent emission of poisonous substances to the atmosphere and ground water. Plastic film is used in agriculture to cover and extension of 100.000 ha with an annual consumption of about 65.000 tons. The new substance consists of an acqueous solution made from a mixture of polysacharides derived from algae, crustaceans and residues from the food processing industry (especially maize, potatoes and tomatoes). Once this substance is sprayed over the soil, the acqeous component evaporates while the polysacharides solidify to form a mebrance, the resistance of which can be varied according to specific agricultural use. Furthermore the membrance can be made black for the suppression of weeds or natural fertilizers and herbicides can be incorporated. At the end of use, the ‘membrance’ is simply ploughed back into the soil with no risk of pollution. To date successful trials have been undertaken in Sweden, Germany and Italy on the cultivation of tomatoes, asparagus, strawberries, potatoes and flowers. It is a low cost solution because it saves on primary materials, the cost of transformation and on the long term expense of cleaning up the environment. This new product has been developed within the EU Project ‘BioCoAgr’ co.ordinated by the Chemical and Technology Institute for Polymers (ICTP) of the CNR (National Research Council). Already ICTP-CNR is developing bio-degradable film based on Mater-Bi (bio-polymer made from starch) as a cladding for small tunnels. Participating in the project are: The Institute ‘E. Caianiello’ for Cibernetics of the CNR, the University of Naples Federico II, Bari and Osnabrueck (Germany) and Swedish Company PSS that manufacturs film for the conservation of monuments. For further information contact: Dr. Mario Malinconico of Ictp (Cnr, Pozzuoli (NA). tel. 081/8675212, mali@ictp.cnr.it |
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