Progetto Glume: from milling waste to resource for new materials

The paper discusses the results of experimental research concerning the enhancement of waste from wheat milling. It focuses on the analysis of Mulino Marino's production system, a leader cereals' milling company in the Cuneo province. The analysis of material flows identifies wheat husks and organic sand (about 30% of total wheat grains) as processing residues not classified as by-products that must be discarded as waste, following current regulations. Chemical-physical characterization certifies that they present qualities that are not optimized in their current end-of-life management. Looking at the main purposes of the circular bio-economy and the SDG12, the study focuses on defining a craft protocol for testing potential uses of company's organic waste through a set of basic experimental tests to investigate performances of wheat husks as a biopolymer, similar to thermoplastics, and as a compound for a bio-based material to replace to disposable plastics (e.g. for packaging).