A Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) researcher has made history by producing a low cost self degrading plastic.
Prof Dr Hanafi Ismail, a lecturer with the Engineering and Mineral Resources Studies Centre, said the new product was made from starch, rubber and plastic waste. He has named the product DEGRA TPE.
" Each year, the world generates about 100 tons of plastic, which takes nearly 100 years to degrade. With DEGRA TPE , the plastic will degrade in only 3 - 6 months when exposed to microbes, air and sunlight" he told a press conference here today.
This environmentally friendly plastic has been tested and meets the standards set by the American Society for Testing of Materials.
The product won the gold medal at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX 2008) in May this year.
Prof. Hanafi is currently in talks with a local manufacturing firm to commercialise this product.
For a picture of Prof. Hanafi, please click on the link below.
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