biodegradable degradable drinking straw no plastic straws processing line
Product Description
# How to Make Edible Starch - Rice Straws Using an Extruder ## 1. Prepare the Raw Materials - **Starch and Rice Powder**: Select high - quality starch (such as corn starch, tapioca starch) and fine - ground rice powder. The proportion of starch to rice powder can be adjusted according to the desired properties of the straws. Generally, a ratio of about 3:7 to 5:5 can be a good starting point. The starch helps to improve the plasticity and binding ability, while the rice powder provides the main texture and flavor. - **Additives (Optional)**: You can add some additives to enhance the performance of the straws. For example, a small amount of edible plasticizers like glycerol can be added to increase the flexibility of the straws. Also, natural flavorings or colorants can be added to make the straws more appealing. ## 2. Mix the Raw Materials - Put the measured amounts of starch, rice powder, and additives (if any) into a large mixing container. - Use a mechanical mixer to thoroughly blend the ingredients. The mixing should be carried out until a homogeneous mixture is achieved, ensuring that all components are evenly distributed. This usually takes about 10 - 15 minutes at a moderate mixing speed. ## 3. Condition the Mixture - Add an appropriate amount of water to the mixed powder. The water content is crucial as it affects the extrusion process and the final quality of the straws. Generally, the water content should be around 20 - 30% of the total weight of the dry mixture. - Stir the mixture well to ensure that the water is evenly absorbed. Then, let the mixture stand for about 30 minutes to allow the water to fully penetrate the powder particles and form a plastic - like mass. This process is called conditioning, which helps to improve the flowability of the mixture during extrusion. ## 4. Set Up the Extruder - Clean the extruder thoroughly to remove any residues from previous use. Check all the components of the extruder, such as the screws, barrels, and die, to ensure they are in good working condition. - Install a straw - shaped die at the end of the extruder. The die should have the desired diameter and shape for the straws. For example, a common diameter for drinking straws is around 6 - 8 mm. ## 5. Extrusion Process - Feed the conditioned mixture into the hopper of the extruder. The hopper will supply the mixture to the screw conveyor inside the barrel. - The screws in the extruder rotate, pushing the mixture forward through the barrel. As the mixture moves along the barrel, it is subjected to increasing pressure and temperature. The temperature in the barrel can be set in the range of 120 - 150°C, depending on the type of starch and rice powder used. The heat helps to gelatinize the starch and cook the rice powder, forming a continuous and cohesive material. - As the mixture reaches the die, it is forced through the straw - shaped opening under high pressure, emerging as a long, continuous straw. ## 6. Cooling and Cutting - The freshly extruded straws are very hot and soft. They need to be cooled immediately to solidify and maintain their shape. You can use a cooling conveyor or a fan to blow cool air over the straws. - Once the straws have cooled enough to hold their shape, use a cutting device to cut them into the desired length. Common lengths for drinking straws are around 15 - 20 cm. ## 7. Quality Inspection - Check the cut straws for any defects such as cracks, uneven diameters, or rough surfaces. - Conduct a simple strength test to ensure that the straws can withstand normal use without breaking easily. For example, you can try to bend the straw slightly or use it to suck up some liquid to check its durability. ## 8. Packaging - After passing the quality inspection, the straws are ready for packaging. Use food - grade and biodegradable packaging materials, such as paper bags or biodegradable plastic bags, to package the straws. This helps to maintain the freshness and hygiene of the straws while also being environmentally friendly.
The degradable rice straws have several advantages over other degradable straws: ### In terms of raw materials - **Renewable and sustainable**: Rice is a widely cultivated and renewable crop. Its raw material sources are stable and abundant. Compared with traditional plastic straws derived from petroleum - based raw materials and some degradable straws that require specific plant resources, rice straws are more sustainable and are not likely to face the problem of raw material shortage. - **Safe and non - toxic**: Rice itself is a food - grade raw material. During the production process of rice straws, there is no need to add harmful chemicals. This ensures that the straws are completely safe for human use, especially when in contact with food and beverages. In contrast, some other degradable straws may contain trace amounts of harmful substances from their raw materials or production processes, which could potentially pose risks to human health. ### Regarding degradation performance - **Rapid degradation**: Degradable rice straws can break down relatively quickly in natural environments. Under suitable conditions such as in soil or compost, they can decompose within a few months, much faster than many other types of degradable straws. This significantly reduces the time they remain as waste in the environment, minimizing potential environmental pollution. - **Friendly degradation products**: When rice straws degrade, they turn into harmless substances such as water, carbon dioxide, and organic matter. These by - products are beneficial to the soil, enriching its fertility and promoting the growth of plants. In comparison, some other degradable straws may leave behind residues or by - products that are less environmentally friendly during the degradation process. ### In terms of usability - **Good mechanical properties**: Degradable rice straws have excellent mechanical strength and flexibility. They can maintain their shape and integrity during normal use, being able to withstand the pressure and force applied when used for drinking. This is similar to traditional plastic straws, providing consumers with a familiar and convenient using experience. Some other degradable straws may be too brittle or soft, making them prone to breakage or deformation during use. - **Suitable for various temperatures**: Rice straws can adapt to a wide range of temperatures. They can be used for both hot and cold beverages without losing their structural stability. For example, when used with hot drinks, they will not release harmful substances due to heat, and when used with cold drinks, they will not become too brittle. Some other degradable straws may have limitations in temperature resistance, which restricts their application scenarios. ### In terms of flavor and odor - **Natural and pleasant flavor**: Degradable rice straws may carry a faint natural rice aroma, which can add a unique and pleasant flavor to beverages, enhancing the overall drinking experience. This is a distinct advantage compared to some other degradable straws that may have no flavor or an unpleasant odor, which could potentially affect the taste of the drink.
Jinan Sunward Machinery Co., Ltd is an industry and trade integrated enterprise. The company is committed to R & D extrusion machinery and related ancillary equipments. It is covering mainly machinery and equipment for corn meal milling system, corn flakes/breakfast cereal system, baby food system, corn puff snacks system, pellets system, artificial rice system,soy nuggets system; as well as pet food/fish food system.
Company Profile
Product Parameters
SPECIFICATIONS
| Model |
Main motor |
Output |
| TSE65 |
22kw |
100kg/h-150kg/h |
| TSE70 |
30kw |
200kg/h-250kg/h |
| TSE85 |
55kw |
300kg/h-500kg/h |
| TSE90 |
75kw |
800kg/h-1000kg/h |
Certification
Package
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