Researchers have developed a new method to convert keratin, a protein found in animal products such as wool and feathers, into a sustainable bioplastic. Keratin is a promising raw material for bioplastics, but its heavily cross-linked structure makes it difficult to process and often results in brittle films. To address this, the team used the thiol groups on keratin to link them to carbon-carbon double bonds using a simple Michael-type addition. This allows them to graft building blocks, such as polyethylene glycol and epoxidized soybean oil acrylate, onto the keratin. The resulting bioplastic can be heated and shaped like a thermoplastic or made into flexible films. The use of keratin, a waste product, for bioplastics is not only sustainable but also biodegradable, making it a promising material for packaging, construction, and medicine. While the complex purification steps may affect the cost-effectiveness of the material, the study shows great potential for a sustainable strategy for converting low-value waste into high-value biodegradable plastics.
The primary component of this plastic is natural wool.
