Extrusion International 5-2026

9 Extrusion International 5/2026 Biodegradable Plastic Film Protects Roots from Cockchafer Grub Damage In addition to climate-related stresses, feeding damage caused by cockchafer larvae and, increasingly, by the invasive Japanese beetle poses a signi cant threat to the success of large-scale reforestation efforts. The BioROOTGUARD research project therefore aims to develop a biode- gradable plastic lm that protects tree roots during the establishment phase, reducing the sometimes substantial regional losses caused by these pests while avoiding environmental impacts. To achieve this goal, a consortium of industry and research partners, led by FKuR Kunststoff GmbH (hereinaf- ter "FKuR"), brings together expertise in materials development, forestry science, and environmental research within the framework of the Bio- ROOTGUARD project. The project is funded by the German Federal Minis- try of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) through the Agency for Renewable Resources (Fachagen- tur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe, FNR) under the Sustainable Renewable Re- sources funding programme. Protection and biodegradability The rst step is to develop a plastic compound that biodegrades com- pletely in forest soil without leaving any residues. The subsequent research will focus on how this material can be processed into a lm. During the planting of young trees, the lm will be placed around the root ball to pro- vide protection while at the same time allowing healthy root development. Once the protection period has ended, the biodegradable nature of the lm will eliminate the need for removal, avoiding additional labour and costs. Beyond its purely mechanical bar- rier function, the new lm is intend - ed to discourage cockchafer grubs from approaching the root zone. To achieve this, natural repellents will be investigated within the project frame- work to reject these larvae in an envi- ronmentally friendly way. Dr Antje Birkholz, Head of R&D and BioROOTGUARD project manager at FKuR, explains: “With BioROOT- GUARD, we are developing a solution that provides protection during the phase when plants are particularly vulnerable in their root zone and then biodegrades naturally afterwards. In this way, we combinematerial innova- tion with the requirements of modern forestry and woody plant cultivation.” FKuR Coordinates the Development and Implementation Process As the project consortium leader, FKuR is responsible for the overall coordination of the research consor- tium and the development of the bio-based and biodegradable plastic material. The company contributes its extensive experience in develop- ing bioplastics with de ned prop - erties and supports the transfer of material development towards po- tential industrial applications. Birkholz adds: “The development of a material that meets technical re- quirements while at the same time be- ing able to return to natural cycles at the end of its service life will demon- strate the potential that modern plas- tics technologies can offer for new elds of application.” Interdisciplinary Research Consortium In addition to FKuR, specialists from the fields of materials research, process engineering, forestry sci- ence, and environmental analysis are working together on the devel- opment and evaluation of the pro- tection system. FKuR Group www.fkur.com The aim of the BioROOTGUARD research project is to develop a biodegradable plastic lm that protects the roots of young trees and seedlings from damage caused by cockchafer grubs (© FKuR Kunststoff GmbH)