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Enhanced Wood Biotechnology for Sustainable Products

Explore the innovative use of biotechnology in altering genes in wood to produce faster-growing, disease-resistant trees with reduced lignin content. Learn about GM elm trees and biopol, a biodegradable polymer for eco-friendly packaging solutions.

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Enhanced Wood Biotechnology for Sustainable Products

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  1. Biotechnology A2 Product Design: Graphics

  2. Biotechnology • Altering genes in woods • Reduction of lignin • Biopol

  3. Altering Genes in Wood • Relates to wood for paper and board • Greater demands each year • Genetically modified trees (GM) • Artificially inserting a gene from one plant into another • In the UK GM Elm trees (resistant to Dutch Elm Disease)

  4. Altering Genes in Wood • Advantages • Quicker growing trees • Resistant to disease and insect attack • Reduced strength of lignin fibres • Reduces the amount of chemicals needed in paper making

  5. Reduction of lignin • Plant cell wall material is composed of three important constituents: cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose. • Lignin is particularly difficult to biodegrade

  6. Biopol • Brand name for the first biodegradable polymer, polyhydroxybutrate (PHB) • Used in the packaging industry (blow moulded bottles, plastic wrap, coating for paper and board) • Water resistant • Carbohydrates, sugar & extracted polymer (renewable raw materials) • Compostable

  7. Biodegradeable Polymers • Advantages • Normally fully degradeable • Reduction of time in landfill • Disadvantages • Damages recycled plasticd when mixed • More expensive than other polymers • More energy is needed to produce

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