Synthesis and characterization of thermoplastic resin from sugar beet polysaccharides via one-step transesterification

Lignocellulosic biomass-based plastics provide a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics by converting agricultural by-products into value-added materials, promoting a circular economy. This study investigates the development of thermoplastics from sugar beet pulp (SBP), a by-product rich in cellulose and pectin. A one-pot direct transesterification process was used to fully substitute hydroxy groups in SBP with acyl chains of varying lengths (C2-C10), achieving up to 96 % substitution. The thermal and mechanical properties of SBP esters were analyzed without fractionating polysaccharides. SBP esters exhibited excellent melt flow properties, making them suitable for injection molding applications. The presence of pectin influenced the thermal behavior of the materials; the removal of pectin increased the flow temperature from 155.7 to 204.6 °C. These findings highlight the potential of SBP esters as sustainable plastics, offering a pathway to convert agricultural by-products into high-value materials, thus contributing to a circular economy.