A bio-based polyurethane and a thermosetting acrylic were tested in conjunction with nano-fibrillated cellulose and conventional kraft fiber to evaluate their use as a bio-derived, biodegradable packaging foam. Foams were evaluated for their density, water uptake, and compressive creep behavior. Bio-based urethane had a mean density of 68 kg/m 3 , mean water uptake of 4% in 24 h, and exceeded the 10% limit on compressive strain when tested at 71 °C and 22 °C, but remained below the limit when tested at -54 °C. The thermosetting acrylic had a mean density of 128 kg/m 3 , mean water uptake of 337% in 24 h, and showed less than 10% compressive creep at all three temperature conditions. The bio-derived urethane was able to incorporate 4% cellulose by mass, and the thermosetting acrylic was able to incorporate 48% cellulose by mass. In a 12-week test of biodegradation under fungal attack by Gloeophyllum trabeum and Rhodonia placenta, the urethane foam had < 3% mass loss and the acrylic foam had < 1% mass loss. The acrylic foams showed potential for durable packaging, particularly if they could be combined with a surface sealant that could be ruptured at the end of service life to promote degradation of the foam.
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