Keynote, Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
Valorising agricultural waste for sustainable material development
Sandya Athukoralalage, Divya Rajah, Nasim Amiralian * Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. E-mail: n.amiralian@uq.edu.au Cellulose is the most abundant renewable polymer on Earth, with a long history of use in paper, packaging, textiles, and dietary fibres. Recent advancements have focused on converting diverse biomass sources into their building blocks, nanocellulose. A key opportunity lies in valorising agricultural waste as a sustainable feedstock for nanocellulose production, reducing reliance on virgin materials and addressing waste management challenges. Nanocellulose materials, as part of the broader family of polysaccharide-based nanomaterials, exhibit exceptional mechanical properties, high specific stiffness, strength, and excellent chemical and thermal stability. These attributes, combined with their lightweight and biodegradable nature, make them ideal for applications across multiple industries. The source of nanocellulose, whether from plants, marine organisms, or bacteria, significantly influences its structure, properties, and surface chemistry. This presentation provides an overview of nanocellulose production from agricultural residues, highlighting its potential to develop sustainable materials aligned with circular economy principles. Applications span nanocomposites, antimicrobial coatings, and water treatment1-4. By utilising agricultural byproducts, this approach contributes to waste reduction, resource efficiency, and sustainability, addressing key challenges under SDG 12. Key words: Nanocellulose, antimicrobial coating, circular economy, waste valorisation References 1. Martin, D. J.; Annamalai, P. K.; Amiralian, N.; WO20150741202015. 2. Amiralian, N.; Annamalai, P. K.; Memmott, P.; Taran, E.; Schmidt, S.; Martin, D. J. RSC Advances 2015, 5, 32124. 3. Amiralian, N.; Annamalai, P. K.; Memmott, P.; Martin, D. J. Cellulose 2015, 22, 2483. 4. Amiralian, N.; Annamalai, P. K.; Garvey, C. J.; Jiang, E.; Memmott, P.; Martin, D. J. Cellulose 2017.
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