Reduce / Reuse / Recycle

October 5, 2004

 

Biodegradable Plastic Made from Beer Residue

Keywords: Environmental Technology Food Reduce / Reuse / Recycle University / Research institute 

The Akita Research Institute of Food and Brewing (ARIF) of Akita Prefecture, Japan, announced on June 4, 2004 that it has successfully produced biodegradable plastic from beer residue.

The Institute succeeded in experimentally producing 150 kilograms of L-lactic acid, a biodegradable plastic material, from 1,000 kilograms of beer residue. This technology is expected to lead to a drastic reduction in the cost of producing L-lactic acid.

Having succeeded in producing L-lactic acid from a hard-cellulose material like beer residue, ARIF expects that they can also easily produce L-lactic acid from vegetable waste discarded by other types of food factories as well. They have applied for a patent on the technology.

In Akita Prefecture, one of Japan's major agricultural areas, most food processing waste currently has to be incinerated or discarded in landfills. The new technology is expected to help promote a resource-recycling society.

http://www.arif.pref.akita.jp/outline.html

Posted: 2004/10/05 01:26:46 PM
Japanese version

 

このページの先頭へ