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Plastics Recycling: Using Agricultural Residues to Improve Performance

Award Information
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Branch: N/A
Contract: 2001-33610-10416
Agency Tracking Number: 2001-00314
Amount: $69,826.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2001
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
619 East 8th Street, Suite D
Lawrence, KS 66044
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Donna Johnson
 (785) 832-8866
 donnaj@pinnaclet.com
Business Contact
 Donna Johnson
Title: President
Phone: (785) 832-8866
Email: donnaj@pinnaclet.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Agro-Plastics, Inc. has successfully developed and is commercializing a process that uses agricultural fibers as fillers in virgin plastics. The Agro-Plastic manufacturing plants are designed for small communities, providing employment and non-farm revenues at a time when small rural communities are struggling with depressed crop prices and loss of manufacturing jobs. As a natural extension of this work, Agro-Plastics, Inc. is proposing to modify its existing process for use with waste (co-mingled) plastic. This will create additional income streams for rural areas, while reducing currently high waste disposal costs. To successfully construct this research, Agro-Plastics has teamed with USDA's Forest Products Laboratory, AJ Engineering Company, and Kansas State University. The research will demonstrate the feasibility of using agricultural fillers to add strength to co-mingled plastic and determine which plastic waste streams can be used. The project will focus on: improved binding of the co-mingled plastic with the agricultural fillers; improved strength of the co-mingled plastic; reduced cost of the agro-plastic; impact on rural communities; and a market analysis of end uses.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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