Emerging opportunities in the valorisation of wheat bran byproduct as additive in polymer composite materials
Damiano Rossi, Simone Rossi, Patrizia Cinelli, Maurizia Seggiani
Abstract
Wheat bran (WB) is one of the most important byproducts derived from the milling industry and the most abundant among various cereal bran residues. The substantial accumulation of WB biomass, driven by the world's growing population, along with its high transportation costs, and limited profitability, is prompting the research community to explore innovative and economically feasible applications for this bioresource. In this context, the current study reviews the emerging industrial sectors and technical strategies employed in the valorisation of cereal bran waste. Beyond more conventional applications, such as animal feeding, biorefinery, and fertilizing industry, this article offers an in-depth examination of WB reutilization within the emerging field of polymer material science. Specifically, it explores the incorporation of WB as a filler or additive to enhance the thermo-mechanical properties of biocomposites, their biodegradability, and cost-effectiveness. Hence, the present work collects the various studies investigating the effects of integrating WB into three primary classes of polymers: polyesters, polyolefins, and vegetable polymeric matrices. New trends and opportunities within each class are identified and discussed, offering comprehensive valuable insights into the evolving field of sustainable polymer-WB materials development.