PHAs are biopolymers produced by micro-organisms from raw materials such as sugars, vegetable oils and various waste streams like food waste and sewage sludge. The production process is radically different from that for producing conventional plastics such as PE, PP and PET.
Biodegradable
Wageningen Food & Biobased Research has been conducting technological research into the production and applications of PHAs for 30 years. For example, it participates in the European URBIOFIN project, financed by the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU). This project aims to produce PHAs from municipal waste for use in packaging materials.
“These materials are an excellent fit for markets where biodegradability in various natural environments is essential,” says Wouter Post, researcher at Wageningen Food & Biobased Research. “There are various PHA types with different material properties. Our roadmap makes it clear which PHAs are suitable for which applications. Think of products like paper coatings, agricultural plastics and compostable packaging for coffee and tea, for example.”
New markets
For Invest-NL, the further development of a market for bio-based and biodegradable plastics is essential on the way to a fully bio-based and circular economy. Production volumes are still limited and production costs are high. However, market demand is clearly growing. Larger production volumes can also reduce costs and open up new markets.
Read more about the PHA research on the website of Wageningen University & Research (WUR).
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