Latest news with #KateParker
RNZ News
15-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
NZ researchers work to turn agricultural waste into packaging
One collaboration included developing moulded fibre trays infused with blueberry pomace, the leftover residue from juicing or processing. Photo: Supplied / Plant and Food Research Scientists from public research organisation Scion are working with farmers and growers to turn all kinds of agricultural waste - from blueberries to avocado stones - into sustainable and compostable packaging. The project is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's collaborative Bioresource Processing Alliance (BPA). Team leader for sustainable materials Kate Parker said fibre packaging was a "huge growth industry" globally, as researchers looked to come up with viable alternatives to plastic. Parker said Scion 's researchers were exploring whether incorporating agricultural byproducts into moulded fibre trays could enhance their strength and moisture resistance. The researchers were open-minded about where the waste materials was sourced. "We've looked at all sorts of different biomasses out there, across waste streams that are coming out of different New Zealand industries. We've looked at things like the outer leaves of cabbage that the market farmers have a big excess of, we've looked at the hemp fibres that are not used for other applications. Avocado stones is another, left over from the oil industry. Pretty much anything." Among the waste material being looked at are avocado stones left over from the oil industry. Photo: Parker said it was "early days" for the project. Scion was talking to both producers who needed to get rid of waste, as well as businesses who wanted non-plastic packaging. "At this stage researchers are concentrating on producing fibre next stage is definitely talking a lot to industry to figure out what they want, what properties are important, what they need and how we can tailor a product to suit the performance requirements that they have for their product." Developing non-plastic, food-grade packaging products could potentially come later, she added. One collaboration included developing moulded fibre trays infused with blueberry pomace, the leftover residue from juicing or processing the berries at Rotorua grower Mamaku Blue. Owner Michaela Frost says the purple trays were not just eye catching but were an "exciting" opportunity for her business, the sector and the environment. Horticulture used a lot of plastic, she added. "It does make sense because it's easy to use. It's been around for quite a while now and it's just very affordable. But then it goes back into [landfill] where you don't want to have it." Another major benefit was getting rid of the huge amounts of blueberry byproduct - as much as 10 tonnes a year - that Mamaku Blue dealt with, said Frost. "We are already creating some products from byproduct, such as freeze dried berries and oils, but we just can never deal with it all fast enough." Scion's bio-products and packaging portfolio leader Christophe Collet said the work aimed to reduce waste while supporting New Zealand's circular bioeconomy. "We're using waste stream that would go otherwise to landfill. So we use some materials and incorporating them with some wood fibre packaging that is coming also from a renewable resource, being wood. [The new packaging product] replaces traditional plastics which would be produced from the oil industry. At the end of life it is combustible, and will turn back into water and CO2." He said businesses with waste streams should get in touch to see whether Scion could also help them add value to their biomass byproduct. "We can develop new projects, using the funding that is covering most of the cost of the research project."
3yon News
24-05-2025
- Business
- 3yon News
بدرع الموهوبين الإعلامية هبة عبد الفتاح تكرم الرسام محمد علي
Kate Parker, Scion's team lead for sustainable materials, said the global drive to eliminate single-use plastic packaging had created a need for high-performance, eco-friendly alternatives. 'Moulded fibre packaging is a sustainable, compostable option, but it often falls short in strength and moisture resistance compared to plastic. 'By incorporating agricultural byproducts, we hope to improve the functionality of fibre trays and provide an innovative use for materials that would otherwise end up in landfill.' Mission This project aligns with Scion's mission to drive a circular bioeconomy, repurposing organic waste into valuable products and maximising resource efficiency while minimising environmental impact. 'The horticulture and agriculture industries generate large volumes of organic waste,' Parker said. 'Instead of seeing these byproducts as a problem, we are exploring how they can become part of the solution. 'By integrating waste streams into new materials, we can help New Zealand move away from plastic and support local producers.' Michaela Frost, owner of Mamaku Blue, which is known for its high-quality blueberry products, says this collaboration is a step toward a more sustainable future. 'Repurposing our blueberry byproduct is a fantastic opportunity for our business and the environment. 'We repurpose some of our waste for certain products, but not all can be stored indefinitely or processed in time, leading to some disposal. 'Exploring moulded fibre packaging is an exciting step forward.' Byproducts Matthew Parker, a health sciences student from the University of Otago and BPA Summer Student Internship, contributed to the work during his 12-week placement. He tested two other agricultural byproducts: avocado stones from oil extraction and cabbage wrapper leaves from farms. These byproducts were mechanically refined before being blended with wood fibre and made into trays using Scion's pilot-scale moulded fibre thermoformer – the only one of its kind in New Zealand. Initial results showed blueberry pulp and microfibres altered the trays' appearance, while cabbage microfibres significantly improved water resistance. Future research will explore blending these materials to see if their combined properties offer further benefits.
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Blueberry waste turned into sustainable trays by Scion and Rotorua's Mamaku Blue
Kate Parker, Scion's team lead for sustainable materials, said the global drive to eliminate single-use plastic packaging had created a need for high-performance, eco-friendly alternatives. 'Moulded fibre packaging is a sustainable, compostable option, but it often falls short in strength and moisture resistance compared to plastic. 'By incorporating agricultural byproducts, we hope to improve the functionality of fibre trays and provide an innovative use for materials that would otherwise end up in landfill.' Mission This project aligns with Scion's mission to drive a circular bioeconomy, repurposing organic waste into valuable products and maximising resource efficiency while minimising environmental impact. 'The horticulture and agriculture industries generate large volumes of organic waste,' Parker said. 'Instead of seeing these byproducts as a problem, we are exploring how they can become part of the solution. 'By integrating waste streams into new materials, we can help New Zealand move away from plastic and support local producers.' Michaela Frost, owner of Mamaku Blue, which is known for its high-quality blueberry products, says this collaboration is a step toward a more sustainable future. 'Repurposing our blueberry byproduct is a fantastic opportunity for our business and the environment. 'We repurpose some of our waste for certain products, but not all can be stored indefinitely or processed in time, leading to some disposal. 'Exploring moulded fibre packaging is an exciting step forward.' Byproducts Matthew Parker, a health sciences student from the University of Otago and BPA Summer Student Internship, contributed to the work during his 12-week placement. He tested two other agricultural byproducts: avocado stones from oil extraction and cabbage wrapper leaves from farms. These byproducts were mechanically refined before being blended with wood fibre and made into trays using Scion's pilot-scale moulded fibre thermoformer – the only one of its kind in New Zealand. Initial results showed blueberry pulp and microfibres altered the trays' appearance, while cabbage microfibres significantly improved water resistance. Future research will explore blending these materials to see if their combined properties offer further benefits.
