A new degradable plastic film that is less than the width of a human hair is helping to regenerate native trees and establish high-value crops.
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| Professor Peter Halley and QUT’s Emeritus Professor Graeme George with the award. |
The new technology, developed by a team in partnership with the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Polymers, with The University of Queensland’s Professor Peter Halley as a co-project leader, won the Excellence in Innovation Award at the CRC Association gala dinner on 8th March.
Professor Halley said the ultra-thin films were applied to the crop at seeding, trapping heat and moisture close to the ground to create a greenhouse effect.
“As the plants grow, the plastic film breaks down in the sunlight, removing any environmental hazards,” Professor Halley said.
“This is a great benefit to crop growers, as they will be able to plant earlier, improve the germination of their crops, use less water and potentially produce higher yields.
“Licensed by Australian company Integrated Packaging, the new plastic film technology is already in use in Ireland for the production of maize.”
Source: UQ News
