Bioprocesses for the sustainable production of bioplastics from agricultural waste. The core of the project is the use of microbial fermentation to obtain PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) polymers, materials of natural origin that can replace traditional plastics in many applications.
Sector
A1.1Growing of non-perennial crops
Needs/ Problem statement
Bioplastics, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), represent a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-based plastics, which pose a serious threat to ecosystems and human health because they degrade very slowly, accumulating in the environment in the form of microplastics, especially when not properly disposed of.
Objective
The main objective is to create completely biodegradable and biocompatible bioplastics, starting from agricultural and livestock waste that currently has no commercial value.
Bioeconomy fields
Crop residues and perennial plantsx
Designer crops for optimised biomass contentnull
Algae biomassnull
Waste or recycled materialx
Microbial assisted processingx
Biorefineries null
Feedstock
Biomass residues
Outcomes and final product
Completely biodegradable and biocompatible bioplastics
Mobility
Static
Value chains
1
2
3
3 - High potential - Significant arisings of feedstocks available currently.
C Sink
1
2
3
3 - High potential - strong potential for carbon sequestration at the feedstock and product level).
Intended user
Farmers/foresters
Complexity of the process
1
2
3
4 - very complex application (conditions)
Final user
Farmerx
Foresternull
Researchernull
Advisornull
NGOnull
Training organizationnull
Processor or retailerx
Consumernull
Public Authority + LAGnull
Othernull
Economic sustainability
1
2
3
3 - High potential - Expected to bring at least 3 significant economic benefits.
Social sustainability
1
2
3
3 - High potential - Expected to bring at least 3 significant social benefits.
Environmental sustainability
1
2
3
3 - High potential - Expected to bring at least 3 significant environmental benefits.
