BIODEGRADABLE FIBER-BASED PLANT POTS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Biodegradable fiber-based plant pots and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a molded nursery pot for plants has a composition including a base material made of fiber and a moisture barrier configured to provide moisture resistance for the nursery pots. The composition can also include a wet strength additive that strengthens the nursery pots when exposed to wet conditions for extended periods of time, such as watering in a greenhouse during plant growth, and/or a dry strength additive configured to enhance the strength of the nursery pots in dry conditions. The composition can further include an antimicrobial additive configured to inhibit mold growth.
1 . A composition of a molded nursery pot for plants, the composition comprising;
a base material comprising cellulose fiber;
a moisture barrier configured to provide moisture resistance for the nursery pots;
a wet strength additive configured to enhance a strength of the nursery pots when exposed to wet conditions;
a dry strength additive configured to enhance the strength of the nursery pots in dry conditions; and
an antimicrobial additive configured to prevent mold growth.
2 . The composition of the molded nursery pot of claim 1 wherein:
the base material comprises 10 % to 50 % of newsprint and 50 % to 90 % of old corrugated containers (OCC) and/or double lined kraft (DLK);
the moisture barrier comprises 1 % to 10 % of a total content of the composition of long-chain diketene, alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and/or a wax;
the wet strength additive comprises up to 10 % of the total content of the composition of a resin or a polymer;
the dry strength additive comprises up to 10 % of the total content of the composition of modified starch and/or cationic starch; and
the antimicrobial additive comprises 0.1 % to 6 % of the total content of the composition of zinc pyrithione or zinc oxide nanoparticles.
3 . The composition of the molded nursery pot of claim 1 wherein the cellulose fiber comprises up to 30 % of virgin cellulose fiber and 70 % to 100 % of recycled cellulose fiber.
4 . The composition of the molded nursery pot of claim 1 wherein the cellulose fiber comprises newsprint, old corrugated containers (OCC), and/or double lined kraft (DLK).
5 . The composition of the molded nursery pot of claim 1 wherein the cellulose fiber comprises 10 % to 50 % of newsprint and 50 % to 90 % of old corrugated containers (OCC) and/or double lined kraft (DLK).
6 . The composition of the molded nursery pot of claim 1 wherein the moisture barrier is 1 % to 10 % of a total content of the composition.
7 . The composition of the molded nursery pot of claim 1 wherein the moisture barrier comprises long-chain diketene, alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and/or a wax.
8 . The composition of the molded nursery pot of claim 1 wherein the moisture barrier comprises alkyl ketene dimer (AKD).
9 . The composition of the molded nursery pot of claim 1 wherein the wet strength additive is up to 10 % of a total content of the composition.
10 . The composition of the molded nursery pot of claim 1 wherein the wet strength additive comprises a resin or a polymer.
11 . The composition of the molded nursery pot of claim 10 wherein the wet strength additive comprises polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resin.
12 . The composition of the molded nursery pot of claim 1 wherein the dry strength additive is up to 10 % of a total content of the composition.
13 . The composition of the molded nursery pot of claim 1 wherein the dry strength additive comprises modified starch and/or cationic starch.
14 . The composition of the molded nursery pot of claim 1 wherein the antimicrobial additive is 0.1 % to 6 % of a total content of the composition.
15 . The composition of the molded nursery pot of claim 1 wherein the antimicrobial additive comprises zinc pyrithione or zinc oxide nanoparticles.
16 . A slurry composition for manufacturing molded nursery pots for plants, the composition comprising;
a base material comprising cellulose fiber;
a moisture barrier;
a wet strength additive; and
a dry strength additive.
17 . A process for manufacturing molded nursery pots for plants, the process comprising;
mixing a base material and a moisture barrier to form a first mixture, wherein the base material comprises comprising cellulose fiber;
adding a wet strength additive and a dry strength additive to the first mixture to form a second mixture;
adding an antimicrobial additive to the second mixture to form a third mixture;
wet molding the third mixture under heat and/or pressure to produce a plurality of nursery pots; and
drying the plurality of nursery pots to produce finished molded nursery pots.
18 . The process of claim 17 wherein drying comprises drying the plurality of nursery pots such that each of the nursery pots has a moisture content of less than 6 %.
19 . The process of claim 17 wherein wet molding the third mixture comprises forming the plurality of nursery pots to each have a wall thickness between 1.2mm and 1.6mm.
20 . The process of claim 17 wherein the plurality of nursery pots is configured to retain structural integrity and inhibit mold growth for at least 20 days of plant growth in a nursery environment.