# Biodegradable Technology from University Students

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/09/biodegradable-technology-from-university-students/
- Published: 2020-09-21T02:02:00-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Four students from the University of Arkansas have [launched](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/08/biodegradable-packaging-for-2025/)
a startup company around technology developed by U of M biochemist Simo Sarkanen,
Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, that would manufacture biodegradable
plastic shopping bags. As its name implies, this refer to the shopping bags that
won’t take years before they’re fully composted in the ground, unlike traditional
plastic shopping bags. The process of coming up with these [biodegradable](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/04/first-biodegradable-piping-bag/)
plastic shopping bags is also more eco-friendly than it is with paper bags, the 
highly favored alternative to plastic bags as of the moment.

### The founders formed cycleWood Solutions Inc. after creating a business plan around the technology for an entrepreneurship class.

“The point of the class was to build a viable business,” said Nhiem Cao, president
and CEO of cycleWood Solutions. He found the [technology](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/08/biodegradable-packaging-for-2025/),
a lignin-based biodegradable plastic, on the Office for Technology Commercialization’s
website. They then completed an option agreement for the technology, and later licensed
it to launch the startup.

[⌊Biodegradable bags⌉⌊Biodegradable bags⌉[

According to Cao, one million plastic bags are used globally every minute. Some 
discarded bags will sit forever in landfills, some will pollute the world’s oceans
and landscapes as litter and less than one percent will be recycled. Worse, many
of these plastic bags end up as single-use ones. Right when the user leaves the 
store carrying it, it’s immediately disposed in landfills where all it does is clog
it up even more. Cao hopes cycleWood will be part of the solution to this problem.

## “Our product will biodegrade in 150 days,” said Cao. “Instead of having a growing problem, the problem will gradually go away.”

This 150-day timeline is a far shorter than the usual 10 to 20 years that it takes
non-biodegradable plastics to decompose. Before they even do, it could already cause
permanent damage to the environment. All which will also take years to undo. So 
hence the need for eco-friendly solutions like Cao’s biodegradable plastic shopping
bags.

Although details are not yet finalized, Cao anticipates the startup will provide
the product at a slightly higher price point. I mean more than traditional plastic
bags. However still be a substantial savings over biodegradable options currently
available. Several corporate retailers have already indicated interest in the bags.


This higher price can also encourage companies and buyers to use [shopping bags made from Calico](http://www.calico-bags.com.au/),
for instance, to their maximum potential before disposing of them. Simply discarding
them right away won’t be cost-effective, which can foster a more eco-friendly attitude
among buyers.

### There are also talks of developing biodegradable bags for yard waste, and BBs for airsoft guns.

But the startup’s first priority will be to get investors on board and initiate 
a manufacturing strategy.

cycleWood last week was named regional champion in the 2011 Cleantech Open Business
Competition, and will go on to compete in the national competition in November.

Nhiem Cao has more than five years of experience working as a process engineer and
wet-end superintendent in the paper industry.  Kevin Oden, COO, has two years of
experience. That’s consulting for a large plastics manufacturer.

Efforts like this coming from the private sector through the academe should inspire
you enough. Especially to come up with your own efforts to contribute to an environmental
cause. There’s no better time for this than now. Especially when the world has started
to suffer the severe effects of abuse to the environment. Do your part to ensure
that efforts like these don’t go to waste. Show support by choosing to use these
bags instead of traditional shopping bags. Whenever possible, make the smarter decision.
So go for biodegradable products. That’s so you can lessen the plastic buildup in
landfills. I mean and worse part, in the oceans.

**_Source: _[_The Office for Technology Commercialization_](https://research.umn.edu/units/techcomm#.TpSHYpuImU8)__**
at the University of Minnesotta oversees all aspects of technology commercialization
at the University of Minnesota. Its mission is to translate U of M research into
new products and services. All that provide growth opportunities for licensees. 
That’s for things benefit the public good, improve the quality of life. Also and
generate revenue tosupport research and education goals.

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
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