what is a biofiller?

Biofillers are filling materials of biological and sustainable origin, mainly obtained from agro-industrial by-products that do not compete with food. They generally take the form of powder and depending on the starting waste utilised and the production process can have different physical (particle size, moisture, powder shape, etc.) or chemical (flowability, hydrophobicity, pH, etc.) properties. These materials can be used as reinforcing additives in different plastics, bioplastics and rubbers with the aim of improving their mechanical properties and environmental impact by reducing dependence on traditional fossil or mineral raw materials. Due to their natural and renewable origin, biofillers can contribute to the reduction of the carbon footprint of the materials into which they are integrated, favouring the circular economy and industrial sustainability.

Furthermore, biofillers can improve the biodegradability or compostability of the biodegradable/compostable bioplastics to which they are blended and do not alter the recyclability of recyclable plastics. Finally, biofillers can also be used as natural fillers in other sectors such as cement materials, paper and the tanning industry or be used as adsorbent and absorbent bio-materials or as natural abrasive materials for surface finishing processes.