Development of a polymeric compound for disposable cutlery
Continuous consultancy during project
During this project, in which the practical part was handled internally by the client company’s laboratory, support was provided as “continuous consultancy”. A scientific consultant has been made available to the company, who can be activated at any time and for any question deemed necessary, capable of giving active support to the progress of the project.
The project consisted in the development of a compound that complied with the compostability requirements, based on PLA, able to maintain its shape at temperatures of at least 90 ° C, characteristics of hot food and drinks.
PLA alone begins to deform over 50 ° C, therefore a formulation had to be found through mixing with other polymers and some additives, which resisted higher temperatures while maintaining its suitability for contact with food.
Targets of the project
Support in finding information from scientific literature
Performing of non-routine analysis
Support for the interpretation of results and strategic decisions
In order to draw operational indications for a rapid progress of the project, a continuous comparison with the solutions highlighted in the scientific literature was carried out throughout the project, highlighting points in common and differences with current research.
Whenever it is necessary to carry out analyzes that the customer’s laboratory did not have, Efesto has taken steps to find a subject who would provide these services.
Hephaestus’ advice also consisted in identifying the type of analysis to be carried out, so that the results obtained were actually useful in resolving the question that arose.
The data obtained from the analyzes on the experimental samples were analyzed, in order to understand the progress with respect to the objectives, and rigorously interpreting the behaviors highlighted during the measurements.
This information was of great use to strategic decisions on how to continue the project and which possibilities to look for most.
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Target 1
Literature studies
In order to draw operational indications for a rapid progress of the project, a continuous comparison with the solutions highlighted in the scientific literature was carried out throughout the project, highlighting points in common and differences with current research.
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Target 2
Analysis
Whenever it is necessary to carry out analyzes that the customer’s laboratory did not have, Efesto has taken steps to find a subject who would provide these services.
Hephaestus’ advice also consisted in identifying the type of analysis to be carried out, so that the results obtained were actually useful in resolving the question that arose.
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Target 3
Data interpretation
The data obtained from the analyzes on the experimental samples were analyzed, in order to understand the progress with respect to the objectives, and rigorously interpreting the behaviors highlighted during the measurements.
This information was of great use to strategic decisions on how to continue the project and which possibilities to look for most.
Result
At the end of the project, a formulation was identified capable of meeting the requirements set at the beginning of the project.