Feasibility of the use of poultry waste as polymer additives and implications for energy, cost and carbon. (1st April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McGauran, Thomas; Dunne, Nicholas; Smyth, Beatrice M.; Cunningham, Eoin
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 291(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04-01
• Subjects: Poultry -- Waste -- Energy -- Polymer -- Valori -- z -- ation; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.125948
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Increased poultry production worldwide has led to higher generation of poultry waste materials. To date, these materials have limited uses and often end up in landfill. Research has begun to investigate new applications for these waste materials, particularly as fillers and functional additives with a range of polymers. With oil supplies diminishing, use of an otherwise waste material to mitigate depletion rates represents a solution that will positively impact two global industries. This paper presents a technoeconomic analysis to determine the feasibility of using three abundant poultry waste materials, bone, meal and feathers, within the polymer industry, quantifying the energy, cost and carbon implications compared to conventional polymers and the potential oil savings compared to use as a bioenergy resource. Given the complexity of such an approach the assumptions involved have been detailed. Concurrently, compositional analysis yielded a detailed breakdown of each material (minerals and organic content), which was used to determine their potential as fillers in polymer processing. Calculations concluded that use as a polymer filler, in loadings up to 40% wt. for bone and meal and 60% wt. for feathers, provided high energy, carbon and cost savings to both the polymer and poultry industries. Crude oil savings were 5 times higher than use as a bioenergy source, showing the potential of poultry waste streams as polymer additives. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Poultry bone, meal and feathers are ideal as feedstock for polymer materials. Poultry waste streams contained high value minerals and materials. Poultry waste incorporation significantly reduced polymer production costs. Oil usage for polymer production also dropped through poultry waste addition. Energy saving were higher compared to use for energy production.