Fig. 4: Biphasic system with ChCl-Ethylene glycol (DES) and 12% PEG (left). Biphasic system with ChCl-Ethylene glycol (DES) and 60% PEG (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nOptimising PHBV based formulations for flexible and rigid biodegradable plastics<\/h3>\n The accumulation of plastic materials in the environment is a widely recognised problem that requires imaginative solutions from the scientific community. Biodegradable plastics can help to reduce the presence of plastics in the environment, mainly in certain uses, such as in agriculture and in certain types of packaging. There are several biodegradable plastics on the market for application to different products. The above table summarises the main current options and how they can be removed from the environment:<\/p>\n
In this context, the upPE-T partners BIOMI and CETEC are focused on the development of biodegradable formulations with the PHBV produced in the upPE-T cell factory. This material has two main advantages over other biodegradable polymers.<\/p>\n
Firstly, it is not a synthetic polymer but is produced naturally by several microorganisms as a carbon reservoir. Secondly, the potential of PHBV lies in its wide biodegradability profile, being biodegradable in any medium, from soil to marine water.<\/p>\n
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In addition, its mechanical properties can be tuned by modifying the hydroxyvalerate content in the PHBV produced by the microorganisms, opening the possibility of obtaining a more rigid or flexible polymer.<\/p>\n
Another important task of the project is to investigate how the addition of PHBV to other biodegradable plastics influence the mechanical properties and their biodegradation. In this regard, several blends made of PHBV as the main component and PLA or PBS are optimised to ensure processability and increase biodegradability.<\/p>\n
Moreover, we are using nanotechnology to improve the barrier properties of biodegradable plastics by using silica nanoparticles, functionalised by the University of BOKU, to make them more compatible with biodegradable polyesters. The most promising blends will be scaled up and validated as flexible packaging films, rigid or semirigid solutions (e.g. trays, sticks) by various end users representing different food sectors and related needs.<\/p>\n
Environmental impact assessment of upPE-t solution<\/h3>\n The evaluation of the environmental impact of the processes developed for the upPE-T value chain is of paramount importance, with several partners dedicated to this end. DIGIOTOUCH is performing the life cycle assessment and by-product valorisation studies of upPE-T solution (products and processes).<\/p>\n
The methodology is extended for Social-LCA and LCC and will be an important tool for decision-making when it comes to comparing different scenarios. BOKU University and CETEC are evaluating the biodegradability and recyclability of the final upPE-T products, following European standards, and contributing to improve them.<\/p>\n
Two main environmental conditions, namely mesophilic and thermophilic temperature ranges, are used to simulate multiple biodegradation habitats, such as freshwater bodies, wastewater treatment plants, home, or garden compost and industrial thermophilic compost.<\/p>\n
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The upPE-T Project has received funding from the European Union\u2019s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 953214.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\nPlease note, this article will also appear in the sixteenth edition of our\u00a0quarterly publication<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The upPE-T project investigates how the degradation of plastic packaging waste can be used to manufacture PHBV for biodegradable packaging.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":39831,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24433],"tags":[529,24229,24527],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
upPE-T project: PHBV leads the development of biodegradable plastics<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n