Automobile manufacturers strive not only to produce and sell automobiles, but also to provide ecologically safe reclamation of them after the expiration of their service life. Metal parts are easy to reclaim. They are melted to get a second birth. As to the reclamation and utilization of plastic parts that are becoming more and more popular the situation is quite different.
Researchers from Warwick University (South England) have developed a technology for producing a strong and comparatively inexpensive plastic material from a plant mass. The main advantage of the new material is simple utilization. Bioplastic may be used to manufacture very reliable parts of automobiles and other technical devices. The researchers guarantee normal functioning of such parts within a long period of time. After their service life has expired, bio-parts will be placed in the ground without air access to be decomposed by soil microorganisms. The formed compost will be used as fertilizer.
A suitable crop was selected - Miscanthus, a prolific 3 meters high perennial similar to bamboo. It will serve as a raw material for producing plastic. No pesticides or fertilizers are needed to grow it, and one hectare can yield 15 tons of the plant on average.