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A Performance Study on 3D-Printed Bioplastic Pots from Soybean By-Products

Author

Listed:
  • Arup Dey

    (School of Engineering, Math, and Technology, Navajo Technical University, Crownpoint, NM 87313, USA
    Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USA)

  • Md Mahbubar Rahman

    (Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USA)

  • Anunay Gupta

    (Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USA)

  • Nita Yodo

    (Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USA)

  • Chiwon W. Lee

    (Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USA)

Abstract

Sustainability is a key factor in the development of new materials for plant pots, given the significant environmental impact of traditional plastic-based pots. Researchers have paid attention to developing biodegradable and sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based pots. In this study, two novel bioplastic formulations are developed, which incorporated soy-based by-product fractions to produce plant pots with self-fertilizing capability while also being cost-competitive. A 3D-printing process, fused filament fabrication, is used to produce plant containers from the filaments of soy-based new materials. Further, a small-scale greenhouse experiment is conducted to compare the performance of the soy-based 3D-printed bioplastic pots with pure polylactic acid (PLA) 3D-printed pots and traditional plastic pots, by growing a fruit-bearing plant (tomato) and a flowering plant (zinnia). Plant growth properties and root circling are analyzed, and the results show that the soy-based pots performed comparably to traditional plastic pots, especially in dry conditions, and also reduced root circling. While a more in-depth analysis is necessary, these initial findings suggest that using soy-based fractions and 3D-printing technology could provide a sustainable approach to developing plant pots, which could reduce the environmental impact of plastic-based containers and improve plant health.

Suggested Citation

  • Arup Dey & Md Mahbubar Rahman & Anunay Gupta & Nita Yodo & Chiwon W. Lee, 2023. "A Performance Study on 3D-Printed Bioplastic Pots from Soybean By-Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:13:p:10535-:d:1186684
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:lib:0000of:v:1:y:2015:i:1:p:19-35 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Ellison, Brenna & Kirwan, Barrett & Nepal, Atul, 2015. "Consumers' Willingness to Pay for Bioplastic Plant Containers: An Experimental Auction Approach," 2015 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 26-28, San Francisco, California 205670, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    3. Attaran, Mohsen, 2017. "The rise of 3-D printing: The advantages of additive manufacturing over traditional manufacturing," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 60(5), pages 677-688.
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