Ethanol Coproduct Can be Used in Plastic Manufacture

Preliminary results of studies being conducted by scientists from the U.S. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) revealed that a coproduct in ethanol production can be used as a non-petroleum additive in plastics. The ethanol coproduct, called distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), is ideal as filler because of its high fiber content and molecular structure suitable for binding. The researchers studied molded blends of DDGS and phenolic plastic resin, and found out that DDGS concentrations between 25 to 50 percent work best. DDGS can also be used to develop new bio-based manufactured products. The preliminary study yielded only limited data on the resulting physical properties of the various DDGS/plastic blends and follow-up tests are currently under way.

For more information, read http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=1261