
NENU2PHAR
For a sustainable and european value chain of PHA-based materials for high-volume consumer products
For a sustainable and european value chain of PHA-based materials for high-volume consumer products
Global plastic production relies heavily on petrochemicals – around 8 % of the world oil production goes to manufacturing plastics. However, there is growing awareness and concern over the environmental impact of plastics, such as marine pollution and associated loss of biodiversity - as well as the sheer persistence of plastic waste. This is creating a growing demand for innovative, more sustainable alternatives. However, the demand for plastic is not likely to disappear in the near future; in many industries it remains essential.
Fortunately, the emergence of starch-based polymers and polyesters from crops such as corn, potato, tapioca, sugarcane and oil seeds (canola, palm, soy) now offer alternatives to petrochemical-based polymers. However, these sources create their own concerns over land use and using edible crops as feedstock. This has seen the emergence of alternative bioplastics based on bacteria, fungi, and algae. These do not impinge on land for food or food for crops, have a smaller carbon footprint and are suitable for sustainable waste management options such as composting.
These bio-based, biodegradable plastics can address many of the challenges posed by existing materials. However, there are challenges to be overcome, particularly high costs and low production yields. A promising alternative lies in Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a class of renewable, biodegradable, and bio-based polymers, in the form of polyesters. These can be manufactured using a purely biotechnological route with a variety of carbon-rich biomass feedstocks. In addition, these PHAs are reported to spontaneously degrade in oceanic conditions such as seas and rivers. The NENU2PHAR project will focus on developing a PHA stream to create a competitive value chain of bioplastic material for high-volume consumer products.
The overarching objective of the NENU2PHAR project is to develop a viable alternative to existing petrochemical-based plastics that are sustainable and biodegradable. Within this, the project has a number of specific objectives. It will:
By achieving its overall objectives, the NENU2PHAR project will help provide a much-needed alternative to petrochemical-based plastics. In addition, it will also make contributions to specific BBI JU KPIs through:
In addition, the NENU2PHAR project will bring specific environmental benefits. The PHA-based polymers will be designed with re-manufacturing in mind, thus embracing a circular approach to materials. In addition, where it has not been possible to re-manufacture or recycle, the materials will lend themselves to biodegradation and/or composting, reducing plastic waste.