Hi, my name is Bram Wolters and I'm a student of the University of Applied Sciences Arnhem and Nijmegen in the Netherlands. I'm working on a project to make sustainable disposable items for the foodservice industry. The disposable items are made of reed, include forks, knives, spoons, cups, hamburger boxes, bowls etc. We want to pulp it, shape it, cut it and dry it. Only I don't really know which binding material and coating to use. I believe it is possible to use cellulose, but have no expert to confirm. Can someone help me?
Depends on what kind of material you would finally get from reed (fiber, powder, pulp, etc)
If you can get a fine pulp in theory you could add it to a cellulose and form cups and dishes using vacuum molding. But I would not call cellulose a binder here.
For forks, knives and spoons maybe it is better to use some kind of rigid polymer to form a matrix, reinforced with reed fibers. PLA could be suitable.
I believe there could be some techniques for forming paper spoons, knives and forks, but I am not familiar with them.
The question is of whether the cellulose might become soluble in aqueous based solutions such as some foods, when the utensils or containers are held together by the cellulose. A waterproof outer lacquer might be needed.
Cellulose analogues are used in medications as a binder/release timing instrument for the active pharmaceutical ingredient. Cellulose is also used in foods, such as grated Parmesan cheese, to absorb moisture to keep the cheese flakes from caking and so they flow properly.
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