Recipe for Gelatine Bioplastics

GENERAL INFORMATION

Gelatine is made from collagen present in animal parts and comes in jelly, sheet or powder. It is a waste product from the meat industry, being repurposed for uses outside of the food industry.

RECIPE
INGREDIENTS FOR 500mL OF BASIC GELATINE BASED BIOPLASTICs

Gelatin 100g
- the polymer to make the structure
Glycerine 25g
- The plasticizer to make it flexible
Water 500 mL
- The solvent to dissolve the materials
Essential oil 4 drops
- Anti-bacterial to keep it from contaminating
Optional: embroidery hoop, textiles, meshes, moulds or other casting surfaces (surface transfers texture to your bioplastic)
Optional: Pigments, food colorants or natural dyes
Optional: Fillers: eggshell powder, coffee debris, chalk, fibers, etc.
Optional: 1 teaspoon of Dishwasher liquid

TOOLS

Pan (non-reactive)
Cooking plate
Scale (1g precision)
Thermometer
Spoon
Whisk

METHOD

Mix the gelatine with the cold water in your pot, and stir until dissolved. Warm up the mixture on your stove to a max of 80C.
Add the Glycerin and four drops of essential oil.
- The general rule is the more glycerine, the more flexible the material, but too much will make it sticky
Simmer for 15 minutes while stirring regularly, then let the liquid cool for a couple of minutes while stirring, until it gels a little but is still liquid.
- The mixture should be at least honey-like before casting.
- Tip: Remove any froth with a spoon, or absorb it using a coffee filter or kitchen paper.
Optional: Longer cooking time (up to an hour) allows more water to evaporate and will dramatically reduce the shrinkage of your casted object. You will get a thicker liquid.
- To cast larger volumes and solids with this recipe, evaporate a lot of water, until it’s very very thick.
- Tip: Melting scraps can result in nice castings because they’ve already dissipated a lot of water.
Optional: Add a filler and mix gently until it is evenly distributed throughout the liquid.
Optional: Add a tablespoon of dishwasher and whisk until finely foamed to create a biofoam
Pour the desired mixture into your mould or on your chosen surface.
- Pour slowly to avoid air bubbles
- Tip: Don’t cast hot bioplastic on the acrylic that is thinner than 7mm, it will bend.
Let the material dry in a ventilated and dry room for a few days.
De-mould when your plastic feels solid – often after 24-48 hours.
Tip: regularly turn your piece over until it is dry, so as to avoid mold formation with long drying times.