Amar K Mohanty
Premier’s Research Chair in Biomaterials and Transportation, Canada.
Title: Advanced Biorefining in the Sustainable Development of Bioplastics and Biocomposites
Biography
Biography: Amar K Mohanty
Abstract
In the emerging bioeconomy era, both the biochemical and thermochemical biomass processing streams are well positioned to develop biobased chemicals, materials and fuels, through well-integrated biorefinery concept. Currently, the co-products and byproducts from biofuel industries are considered low-value products. However, these products show immense opportunities in engineering value-added bioplastics and biomaterials for industrial uses. \\\\\\\\r\\\\\\\\n“There is no such thing as waste; waste is a co-product looking for an opportunity” defines our approach to “advanced biorefining” concept. The co-products and byproducts like: distillers’ dried grains with soluble (DDGS) from corn ethanol industries; crude glycerol from biodiesel industry; lignin from cellulosic ethanol industries and biochar from biomass pyrolysis industries, are being constantly explored for engineering new biobased materials. Resulting value-added bioplastics and biocomposites will not only help improve the economic return of the related renewable energy industries, but will also help substitute currently used petroleum-based counterparts in the manufacturing sectors. These newly developed materials show promising potential for uses in interior automotive parts, consumer products and eco-friendly packaging materials. This approach is one of the mechanisms to reduce our dependence on petroleum, as well as the greenhouse gas (GHS) emissions. This presentation will highlight the opportunities for engineering new materials from biofuel co-products, as well as under-valued bioresources for value-added industrial uses.