Malaysia: Polystyrene 'White Coffin' Campaign

Polystyrene is well-known for its many uses such as food containers and also for its insulation properties in electrical and electronic equipment. However, its adverse impact on the environment is equally well known. Polystyrene containers are simply thrown away and ultimately they affect the quality of the environment. Polystyrene needs more than 100 years to degrade into the ground. In the USA, the huge amount of polystyrene is compacted to prevent pollution and to ensure that they are not disposed of haphazardly. In Japan, on the other hand, efforts are being taken to produce polystyrene that is easily degradable. In Malaysia, however, through the 'White Coffin' Campaign efforts are being made in the direction of making polystyrene beneficial to society and also finding new uses for polystyrene. The researchers in the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) have succeeded by adding a solvent and a chemical to turn polystyrene into glue. Although polystyrene appears soft, it becomes very strong when combined with 'coumarone-indene' as a tackfier and 'toluene' as a solvent. When the composition of the polystyrene is increased, it further increases the strength of the glue. The strength of the glue has been proven through relevant tests. In this way a new material is produced, one with a specific composition and proven to be strong enough to be used on wood or plastic. This material can then be used together with the empty oil palm fruit bunches to produce fibres and composite for the furniture industry. The innovation won the Gold medal in the Malaysian Technology Expo held in Kuala Lumpur in the second week of February 2010.

Source: ResearchSEA - News update, 22^nd February 2010