Maturnum

Plastics are everywhere in everyday life because they are cheap, versatile, and durable. But this convenience comes with long-term environmental consequences. Most plastic ever produced still exists today, accumulating in landfills or natural ecosystems, while only a small fraction has been recycled. Although bio-based plastics are often presented as a solution, they frequently rely on industrial systems and only partially address issues of degradation and local value creation.

The project ‘Maturnum‘ investigates a locally grounded and circular potential by using regionally available wheat protein waste as a basis for a starch-based material. Starch, as a natural polymer, is combined with binders and plasticisers to form the material system. Through systematic testing of different mixing ratios, the project identifies suitable formulations and explores their application potential.