Canadian institution develops biodegradable plastics for cleaning products

Saskatchewan Polytechnic and EnviroWay Detergent Manufacturing are turning fiber waste from flax and hemp crops into biodegradable, bottle-grade plastics for cleaning products. The Canadian researchers aim to turn local agricultural materials into commercial‑ready packaging that can be applied to sanitizers, pet care, and home cleaning products.

The research project has received US$250,000 in funding from the Agriculture Development Fund through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, and US$7,000 from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program.

The project is led by Dr. Satyanarayan Panigrahi, Sask Polytech Biomaterials Testing and Prototyping (B-TAP) research chair.

Dr. Robin Smith, who heads up Sask Polytech’s Sustainability-Led Integrated Centres of Excellence, says: “The B-TAP team is tackling a major challenge in sustainable packaging using local resources and manufacturing facilities.”

Homegrown innovation

Bottles for detergents, degreasers, sanitizers, and disinfectants need to withstand rough handling and strong chemicals when produced through high-speed blow molding.

The first step of the project will be evaluating Saskatchewan-grown flax and hemp fibers to decide how well they can blend with biodegradable plastics. The researchers are studying different factors, including fiber quality, availability, cost, and overall sustainability. 

Based on the results, Sask Polytech will produce biocomposite pellets using a combination of fiber and biodegradable resin.

Panigrahi says: “Getting these pellets to work in blow molding machines is a major technical hurdle, because fiber reinforced plastics often behave unpredictably when melted and shaped. The goal is to develop a plastic that flows smoothly and produces bottles that are as durable as traditional plastic ones.”

After pellet formulations are refined, the team will create prototype bottles and test their performance under real-world conditions, from storage in a warehouse to handling during shipping.

EnviroWay’s Saskatoon facility will provide its production line to examine how well the new bioplastic bottles fit with existing molds and filling systems. The researchers will identify any changes needed for large-scale manufacturing and offer a path for companies interested in switching to greener packaging. Intellectual property of this project is retained by EnviroWay.

This project aligns with Saskatchewan’s goals for value-added agriculture to increase crop processing in the Canadian province and supports the biobased manufacturing markets.