Design and Development of Biodegradable Packaging Material Machine Using Nata De Coco

Eric B. Bautista., Kim Oscar A. Dugang and Aizel Gladys L. Sabaria

2018

ABSTRACT

Biodegradable plastic can be foamed into packing materials, it can be extruded, and it can

be injection-molded in modified conventional machines. Different types of fillers can be used

with the system, such as wood flour, lime, clay, or waste paper (and other organic and inorganic

fillers). The fillers may be colored or used in various granulation sizes to change the material´s

external appearance. The material can be co- injected with other plastic materials such as LDPE,

PP, and HDPE. The co-injection process deposits a thin film of plastic material over the top of

this material. Co-injection of biodegradable plastics would yield a completely biodegradable

item that is cheaper than conventional plastic materials, completely water proof, and colored to

match conventional plastic materials. Cycle times during processing are as fast as plastic, and are

even more energy efficient. The prepared raw materials will be fed to the pneumatic pressing

with maximum air compressor pressure of 60 psi to remove and lessen its water content. After

the nata was pressed, it will be undergone in the pre- drying process through the conveyor belt

into drying chamber with the belt speed of 10 rpm. The set value for the pre-drying temperature

is 60°C. Then the last process was using ambient air-drying. The dried nata sheets should be

exposed to ambient air for 15 minutes to attain the desirable moisture content. The machine

worked best at an operating pressure of 60 psi. The best operating temperature of the machine

ranges from 55°C to 60°C. Nata de coco sheet was pressed best at a pressing time of 4 minutes.

The actual production rate of the machine was obtained using three different trials. The average

production rate in this study was 0.2083 sheet/min. The machine efficiency of the machine at its
operating conditions was 86.67%. The biodegradable packaging material formed are both

acceptable in terms of its dimension and appearance. The analysis conducted by the Lipa Quality

Control Center on the submitted sample of nata de coco showed the different moisture content.

The sample examined was the nata de coco before and after pressing, moisture content after pre-

drying process and moisture content after ambient air- drying process. The probable percent

saving of the machine was 13.59687687%. The payback period was 3 years and 60 days. The

rate of return was 27.81787268%. The thickness of the nata de coco used before pressing ranges

from 3mm to 4mm. The pressure inside the compressor would dropped for every single

operation. Therefore, the time it would took to be fully charged was also included in the

calculation of the production rate.