Volcanic ash as filler in biocomposites: An example of circular economy in volcanic areas

Abstract

The aim of this study is to find a more sustainable way to transform Etna's ashes, presently treated as waste, into a resource for Sicily. In fact, the use of suitable waste products as raw materials has become an interesting matter in composite industry driven by environmental issues. In countries with active volcanoes, volcanic ash can become a feasible, nature-based solution for soil improvement and CO2 reduction. In detail, the objective of the paper is to examine the morphological and mechanical properties of composites based on biobased and biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) filled with Mount Etna volcanic ashes to evaluate the feasibility of producing biocomposites to be potentially used for agriculture applications. To this purpose, Etna ashes were collected, sieved and added in different amounts (from 10 up to 40 wt%) a PBSA matrix by extrusion compounding. The granules obtained were then injection moulded for the subsequent mechanical characterization, studying the effect of the ash on the injection moulding processability. Disintegration tests and phytotoxicity tests were also carried out for selecting the best formulation as promising solution to produce items to be used in agriculture applications.