Use of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Starch for the Production of Various Bioplastics in Ecuador.

Undergraduate thesis analyzing the production of bioplastics from cassava starch (Manihot esculenta) as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics in Ecuador. The research highlights cassava’s potential as a renewable, biodegradable polymer source and reviews its physicochemical properties, extraction processes, and applications in packaging, agriculture, and hygiene products. It also identifies Ecuadorian companies producing bioplastics and assesses the environmental and economic impacts of this sector. The study concludes that cassava starch bioplastics can promote sustainable industrial development, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and foster rural employment and innovation aligned with climate change mitigation goals.