RT journal article
T1 An Innovative Polypropylene/Waste Cork Composite Material for Spirit and Wine Stopper Caps
A1 Suffo Pino, Miguel
A1 Pérez Muñoz, Celia
A1 Alba Muñoz, Gonzalo
A1 Villar Castro, María del Pilar
A2 BiomedicinaBiotecnología y Salud Pública
A2 Ciencia de los Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica y Química Inorgánica
A2 Física Aplicada
A2 Ingeniería Mecánica y Diseño Industrial
K1 cork agrocomposite
K1 circular economy
K1 polymer–matrix composites
K1 cork powder
AB In the wine bottling process, thermoplastics are commonly used to manufacture the crownof cork stoppers. The production of agglomerated cork stoppers generates a type of waste calledcork powder (CoP) in large volumes with known properties but which are still underutilized. Atpresent, although there are many agrocomposites available with additives such as natural fibers orsolid residues from agricultural products, there are no studies describing the formation of these agrocompositesfrom petroleum-derived synthetic plastics combined with cork dust as a reinforcement forthe polymeric matrix. The present study describes a novel agrocomposite, which has been obtainedby mixing polypropylene-type materials, as they are some of the most widely used and versatile thermoplastics,with cork dust, which is a waste product obtained from the cork industry. The compositeis obtained directly, without the need for grafting, adhesive polymers, or coupling agents. A superiormechanical performance compared to the unprocessed polymer was highlighted in the test results,thus evidencing the reinforcing function played by the waste in the polymer matrix. Therefore, thisnovel agrocomposite could be a promising alternative to replace some petroleum-derived syntheticplastics, which are currently experiencing high demand. The use of this new agrocomposite is wellaligned with sustainability strategies, the principles of the circular economy, and oriented towardsthe fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals required by the European Union, consideringthat it contributes (a) to recycling agricultural waste that would otherwise be difficult to recoverand valorize; (b) to the reduction in the CO2 footprint; and (c) to promoting the use of high-qualitysecondary raw materials.
PB MDPI
SN 2076-3417
YR 2024
FD 2024
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/33742
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/33742
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 06-nov-2026