Researcher Launched Plastic Waste Study in Rapid City

A South Dakota Mines scientist is converting agricultural waste into sustainable alternatives for plastic.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Materials Science

Researcher Launched Plastic Waste Study in Rapid City

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Doctoral researcher and Fulbright-Nehru Fellow Pawar has begun a study in Rapid City aimed at converting corn stover and cobs into biodegradable plastics. The project uses biotechnology and thermophilic microbes to transform agricultural biomass into chemical building blocks.

Why it matters

The project seeks to minimize global dependence on petroleum-based products and fossil fuels by utilizing renewable waste. By creating high-value materials from crop byproducts, the research offers a pathway to more sustainable manufacturing.

The study relies on biotechnology and thermophilic microbes to process agricultural biomass. It is a targeted scientific effort to convert corn stover and cobs into specific chemical building blocks for plastic.

The players

Pawar

Pawar is a doctoral researcher and Fulbright-Nehru Fellow from India conducting studies at the South Dakota Mines Multiomics and Synthetic Biology Center.

South Dakota Mines

South Dakota Mines is a public university in Rapid City focused on science and engineering research.

Rajesh Sani

Rajesh Sani is a researcher who first met Pawar at a 2024 biomanufacturing workshop.

The details

Working at the South Dakota Mines Multiomics and Synthetic Biology Center, Pawar is leveraging biotechnology to process agricultural biomass. The research specifically focuses on using thermophilic microbes to break down corn-based waste products into chemical components.

Pawar attended a biomanufacturing workshop in 2024.
The researcher began a one-year study period in October 2026.
The research residency in Rapid City concludes in June 2027.

The Big Picture

The research at the South Dakota Mines Multiomics and Synthetic Biology Center shifts the focus toward sustainable biomanufacturing. This study builds upon existing institutional efforts to bridge the gap between agricultural waste management and high-value chemical production.

This research could eventually lead to the development of cheaper, environmentally friendly plastics for consumer packaging and manufacturing. Successfully scaling these microbial processes may reduce future costs for sustainable materials in the regional supply chain.

The takeaway

Advancements in biomanufacturing are transforming how we approach waste, turning crop byproducts into essential industrial building blocks. This shift highlights a growing movement to replace traditional petroleum-based plastics with renewable, laboratory-derived alternatives.