BIOdegradable vegan networks from REcycled agro-food waste as sustainable single-use abSORBents (BioRESorb)

The objective is to develop biodegradable absorbents containing nonwoven fiber networks from agro-food biomass waste. The material's structure-absorption relationship will be investigated and designed to make a fully bio-based absorbent core encapsulated in a natural nonwoven fabric. The raw materials will also be combined with other natural polymers to provide additional functionality (antimicrobial or binding properties), and different foaming technologies will optimize porosity. The liquid absorption and mechanical properties will be correlated with processing conditions for constructing models defining critical features for the targeted functionality. Developing materials solely from renewable resources creates a "Waste To New Materials" model with potential use in disposable applications with a vegan label. The absorbents can function in single-use sanitary, hygiene, and porous absorbents in agriculture, which presently are made of nonbiodegradable plastics.