Single-use plastics cause significant harm to the environment and do not biodegrade. In addition, many of the chemicals in plastics are known to causeendocrine disorders, hormonal imbalances, infertility, and cancer. At the same time, governments and companies worldwide are exploring ways to reduce CO2 emissions and dependence on petroleum-based plastics. The emergence of biodegradable bioplastics can provide the same benefits as petro-based plastics without the harmful effects on the environment; however, technological issues limit their manufacturing and implementation into everyday consumer products.
Unspent’s technology provides a method for using oil extracted from unspent coffee grounds to create a biobased plasticizer, COPOXEE™. Extracted coffee bean oil is epoxidized using acid and peroxide via our proprietary process to yield epoxidized coffee oil. Then, the COPOXEE™ is blended with other bioplastic materials during extrusion to improve physical and mechanical properties of the final material.
COPOXEE™ provides an efficient method for producing renewable and biodegradable plastics that are rigid and have applications in many industries. COPOXEE™ helps manufacturers overcome current manufacturing techniques’ limitations and vastly expand the applicability of bioplastics, along with reducing their environmental impact.
Provisional patent filed.
