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Better Biobased Polymer Network

Project description

Reinventing chemistry for a sustainable future

The chemical industry faces increasing pressure to reduce emissions and adopt sustainable alternatives. Replacing petroleum-based reactions with new, bio-based pathways will pave the way towards a circular industry. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the B3PO project aims to develop new methods for the synthesis of polymers and materials derived from biomass. Its researchers will look into the enzymatic modification of lignin and biotechnological ways to produce bio-based monomers. This work will lead to better adhesives, coatings and biomedical 3D materials. Beyond research, B3PO will train the next generation of scientists to lead Europe's shift toward greener, smarter chemistry. Specifically, it will offer a double-degree programme that combines polymer science with industrial biotechnology.

Objective

The transition of the historically established chemistry toward biobased feedstocks and integrated biotechnology will reinvent the chemistry of the 21st century. New chemistry processes will not simply repeat fossil-based reactions but offer fully new opportunity spaces for coming up sustainable materials. The research focuses on biobased polymers and materials with superior product properties, thus making a significant contribution to achieve the GREEN DEAL goals of the European Union. The consortium joins leading academic partners with high- tech SMEs and world-class producers of enzymes, adhesives and coatings. The research explores two highly relevant strategies for the future biobased polymer industry: the direct modification of biopolymers and biotechnological production of monomers. Work on the direct enzymatic modification of lignin combines extraction and blending of lignin with selective chemoenzymatic functionalization. Metabolic, enzyme and bioprocess engineering is combined to develop routes towards biobased lactones, whose sustainable ring-opening-polymerization leads to new co-polyesters. B3PO studies the application of the biobased polymers in adhesives, coatings and biomedical 3D materials, and their biodegradation. Conversion of biomass to high-value functional polymers requires very different methods and thus highly trained scientists withinterdisciplinary skills.

B3PO’s double degree program offers unique interdisciplinary training at the interface of industrial biotechnology and polymer science, complemented by transferable skills with emphasis on creativity and an ntrepreneurial mindset. B3PO ths offers a unique, highly intersectoral and interdisciplinary environment to provide 15 double degree PhD candidates with outstanding employability profiles for the European industry.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN-JD - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks - Joint Doctorates

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01

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Coordinator

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET GRAZ
Net EU contribution
€ 907 628,76
Address
RECHBAUERSTRASSE 12
8010 Graz
Austria
Region
Südösterreich Steiermark Graz
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (9)

Partners (11)