Key Takeaways
- Ed Ron Ng is developing sustainable packaging materials using apple pomace in his research funded by Revo Packaging.
- The combination of apple pomace with wood pulp may enhance mechanical properties, showing a potential increase in strength and stiffness.
- Future efforts will focus on improving water and oil resistance to broaden the applicability of this eco-friendly material.
Innovating Sustainable Packaging
Massey University student Ed Ron Ng is at the forefront of developing sustainable packaging solutions through his project, funded by Revo Packaging. The focus of his research is on utilizing apple pomace— the by-products from apple processing, such as skins, pulp, and seeds— to create a new type of high-performance, paper-based packaging material.
As the first recipient of the Revo scholarship, Ng is investigating how blending apple pomace with wood pulp can yield packaging materials with improved qualities. He explains that apples are processed continuously in Hawke’s Bay for juice, resulting in an abundant supply of pomace, which is currently regarded as a low-value by-product mainly used for animal feed. Ng’s research indicates that this pomace has significant potential in the realm of cellulose-based packaging.
Initial findings reveal that mixing apple pomace with wood pulp enhances mechanical properties, particularly when 20% apple pomace is included in the blend. This combination reportedly increases tensile strength and tensile stiffness by around 50% compared to conventional wood-pulp paper. These results suggest that apple pomace could serve as a substitute for traditional fiber sources while also improving material performance.
Despite promising developments, Ng acknowledges a primary challenge: enhancing the material’s resistance to water and oils. This improvement is crucial for the packaging’s viability across a broader spectrum of food products. Ng’s next steps involve focusing on refining the barrier properties of the material and assessing its commercial aspects to ensure practical application.
Dr. Eli Gray-Stuart, Ng’s project supervisor and Senior Lecturer in Packaging Technology, emphasizes the importance of industry partnerships in facilitating research relevant to real-world applications. The collaboration between academic institutions and industry aid students in pursuing innovative projects that address sustainability challenges.
This project not only paves the way for potential advancements in eco-friendly packaging but also reinforces the value of utilizing agricultural by-products in developing smart materials for the future.
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