Injection-manufactured biocomposites from extruded soy protein with algae waste as a filler

Many studies have been carried out with proteins using casting and compression techniques to manufacture composites; however, the commercial feasibility of protein-based biocomposites is highly associated with the employment of industrial processing techniques, such as extrusion and injection moulding, actually used for synthetic composites. In this work, those processing methods were successfully employed to develop soy protein biocomposites with good barrier and mechanical properties. Furthermore, a natural waste from the agar–agar industry, which showed good compatibility with soy protein, was used as a filler, contributing to the development of more sustainable composites.