Development of polymeric compound based on recycled polyolefins filled with cocoa hull flour

• Grant number: 15/01063-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: February 01, 2016
• End date: October 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Marcio Kobayashi
• Grantee: Marcio Kobayashi
• Company: Afinko Soluções em Polímeros Ltda
• City: São Carlos
• Pesquisadores principais: Fábio Finocchio
• Associated research grant(s): 17/25650-9 - Development of polymeric compounds of polyolefines modified by cocoa residues flour, AP.PIPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 16/03893-4 - Development of polymeric compound based on recycled polyolefins filled with cocoa hull flour, BP.PIPE

Abstract

The submitted research project aims to develop polymeric compounds based on recycled polyolefins filled with cocoa hull flour. Such a thermoplastic compound can be considered as an innovative technological propose, because it is a new idea to contribute to use cocoa shell discarted as residue from cocoa beans extration. That idea is based on polymeric compounds made from wood flour as filler obtained from previous grinded wood residues. The performance of cocoa hull flour as filler for polyolefins will be evaluated as thermoplastic compound to be used to mold parts. The cocoa filler mains characteristics such as particle size and distribution, chemical characteristic and water absorption will be observed. In addition, other characteristics such as compounding, density and thermal stability will be also evaluated. EMBRAPA Instrumentação will contribute to that research by allowing research testing in its laboratories facilites. (AU)