Feasibility Study: Bio-based Biodegradable Thermal Pallet Covers (BBTPC)

Abstract

Thermal Pallet Covers provide good passive thermal protection especially during the logistical operation of goods such as higher value perishables, pharmaceuticals, and chemical shipments. Currently, most of the covers are single use, hard to recycle and disposed of landfill. The used covers have caused increasing concerns, resulting in a strengthening of various regulations aimed to reduce the amount of waste generated. The most common thermal pallet cover used today is bubble foil (which is backed aluminum foil, or metalized polyester laminated with the polyethylene bubble wrap). Since, the metallic foil and the polyethylene bubble wrap are laminated together; it is extremely difficult to recycle the product and is virtually impossible to biodegrade. Although, there has been a significant progress in the production of biodegradable materials in recent years, especially biodegradable plastics, their use has not been properly implemented by this industry. The use of bio-based biodegradable materials will unquestionably contribute to the sustainability and lessen other numerous environmental impacts over the whole life cycle of the product due to the use of renewable resources, rather than traditional petroleum based resources. Bio-based biodegradable thermal pallet covers (BBTPC) can make a significant contribution to the recovery of the material, reduction of landfill and utilization of renewable resources. BBTPC are the perfect model of circular economy in which they regenerate CO2 and use renewable raw material sources for their production. Composting is the most ideal end-of-life option for any materials instead of landfilling which is the worst disposal option. The objective of this study is to investigate the possibility of manufacturing biodegradable thermal pallet covers and to study the feasibility of the manufacture, use and disposal of this product.