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Recycling process trains of waste bioplastics

Project description

Innovative approach in bioplastics waste management

New biotechnological waste-to-value chains will be developed for the most promising (based on market share value) bioplastics. This is the goal of the EU-funded Sus-Bio-plastics project, which is structured under three innovation pillars and relevant to two processes and one tool for integrating sustainability in bioplastics waste management (one non-biodegradable (bio-PE) and three biodegradable (PLA, PHB, and TPS)). It will employ innovative microbially mediated practices. Sus-Bio-plastics will exploit microalgal-bacterial or bacterial communities as a biotechnological tool to formulate a stable metapopulation capable of degrading bioplastics. The project will take advantage of the mutualistic interplay between microalgal and bacterial species for bioplastics upcycling and minimising CO2 releases, representing a highly innovative approach that remains unexplored.

Objective

The objective of Sus-Bio-plastics is to develop new biotechnological waste-to-value chains for the most promising (based on market share value) bioplastics by implementing innovative microbially mediated practices. To achieve this aim, the project is structured under 3 innovation pillars, regarding 2 processes and 1 tool for integrating sustainability in waste management of bioplastics (1 non-biodegradable (bio-PE) and 3 biodegradable (PLA, PHB and TPS)). Microalgal-bacterial or bacterial communities will be exploited as a biotechnological tool to formulate a stable metapopulation capable of degrading bioplastics. In case mechanical recycling is considered as the best end-of-life option, a bioclean-up process of the weathered layer of the bioplastics PLA and bio-PE will be developed. This process will serve as a pretreatment stage prior to mechanical recycling which will yield near virgin pellets holding the capacity to enter the recycling stream. In case organic recycling is the best end-of-life option, a new bio-recycling route will be developed to treat waste biodegradable bioplastics (PHB and TPS) and produce high-value compounds. The mutualistic interplay between microalgal and bacterial species will be capitalized towards bioplastics upcycling and minimization of CO2 releases, constituting a highly novel approach which has not been previously explored.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-02

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Coordinator

TECHNOLOGIKO PANEPISTIMIO KYPROU
Net EU contribution
€ 164 328,00
Address
ARCHBISHOP KYPRIANOS 31 SAVINGS COOPERATIVE BANK BUILDING 3RD FLOOR
3036 Lemesos
Cyprus
Region
Κύπρος Κύπρος Κύπρος
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data