Waste2Plastic – circular economy recycling CO2, nitrogen, phosphorus and water for bioplastic in a sustainable society
Plastic pollution is a major threat to our environment, but the development of biodegradable plastics can solve this challenge. Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a non-toxic polymer that can be degraded into water and carbon dioxide (CO2). PHA is produced by specialised bacteria, which feed on carbohydrates (usually from food crops), nitrogen (from the Haber-Bosch process) and phosphorus (from limited mineral sources). The aim of our new project is to investigate the potential of microalgae as a feedstock for bacterial PHA production. In this algae-based medium, the carbohydrates come from CO2 in the flue gases, nitrogen and phosphorus come from recycled wastewater. Industrial project partners will use our sustainable PHA to manufacture interior objects and packaging and to investigate their degradability. In this circular, resource-efficient material flow, we will purify wastewater, counteract global warming through CO2 uptake and produce sustainable affordable bioplastics in a CCU process.
