Uses of solid residues obtained from orange juice production and coffee dregs as fillers for polymeric compounds

• Grant number: 18/26822-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: February 01, 2021
• End date: January 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Henrique Finocchio
• Grantee: Henrique Finocchio
• Company: Afinko Soluções em Polímeros Ltda
• CNAE: Fabricação de artefatos de material plástico não especificados anteriormente
• Associated research grant: 16/08354-4 - Uses of solid residues obtained from orange juice production and coffee dregs as fillers for polymeric compounds, AP.PIPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/01650-5 - Uses of solid residues obtained from orange juice production and coffee dregs as fillers for polymeric compounds, BP.PIPE

Abstract

Results obtained in the first phase of this research have shown that it is possible to prepare thermoplastic compounds from solid vegetable residues obtained through the industrial production of orange juice, soluble coffee and the use of recycled polyolefins. The analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of these compounds showed that their application in the production of molded articles is promising. Some characteristics of molded specimens as natural color as well as characteristic odors of vegetable loads should be explored in the next stage to add more value to the compounds produced. The proposal for the second phase of this project has as main objectives: 1- to expand the research already done for the use of post-consumer coffee residues from espresso coffee machines, roasted coffee and coffee waste from capsules; 2 - to improve the processing of the post-industrial waste from the extraction of orange juice to obtain a flour with the most adequate granulometry; and, 3 - molding prototypes from products of commercial interest and evaluating them with potential stakeholders. There are already companies interested in using their post-industrial waste in the manufacture of orange juice, soluble coffee and capsules to transform them into thermoplastic compounds and molded products that meet their sustainable initiatives, such as the collection of disposable packagings. Other aspects should be explored in the next phase from the textures, colors and odors observed in the development of thermoplastic compounds, to provide the manufacture of products of interest to the sector of coffee shops and coffee shops specialized in the preparation of beverages from coffee and Orange juice. (AU)