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Hof (dpa / lby) - Hof University wants to develop biodegradable film for silage bales.
"So far, the foils used for this have been disposed of after use - recycling is simply not common and only possible with great effort," said the university.
In the airtight bales, feed for cattle and cows is produced through lactic acid fermentation.
The films for the hay bales are usually based on petroleum.
“That is why they also leave detectable microplastics in the soil,” explained Isabell Kleiber, who is in charge of the research project at the university.
“Our goal is for the foils to consist of 100 percent renewable raw materials in the future.
So we want to develop it from a disposable item to a product that is compostable or recyclable. "
But bio-plastics are significantly more expensive than conventional films, the university admitted.
They currently cost four to six euros more per kilo.
Farmers would first have to generate these additional costs.
"Unfortunately there is no chance at the moment," emphasized a spokeswoman for the Bavarian Farmers' Association.
"The" Tupperware box "for animal feed has not yet been invented - so farmers rely on these foils."
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However, the university announced that the first tests for ecological films had gone well.
The research project will run until 2022, and the film could then be technically implemented with a partner from industry.
Communication from the university