(306c) On Utilization of Agrowastes for Biocomposites and Biochar

The annual demand for wood and wood composites is increasing steadily. It is expected that the worldwide demand for solid wood and products would continue to increase by 60% by the year 2030 and the demand is expected to continue through the year 2060. The price of wood is continuously increasing with the demand. There is a great opportunity and the need to utilize agro-based and forest waste-based particle boards, or Oriented Strand Boards (OSB). Defatted soymeal, and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) can provide cost-competitive and environmentally friendly biobased adhesives for making the wood composites. Properly designed biobased composites can provide desired physical and other mechanical properties. Plant fibers from corn and sorghum stalks can also be used in OSBs. These composites can be designed to improve thermal insulation and weathering properties. Wastes from the hardwood lumber industry and the biobased adhesives can be incorporated into the particle boards, without the requirement of major process changes. Similarly, agro-wastes such as soybean hulls, avocado pits, and waste railroad ties can provide raw materials for producing large quantities of biochar. Biochar can replace petroleum-based carbon in water treatment, agricultural soil amendments, and process separations. The biochar can help with carbon sequestration, as it reduces the net release of carbon dioxide and also reduces the release of potent greenhouse gas, methane. The presentation includes select examples of biobased composites and approaches for biochar preparation and applications.