biodegradable polymers and their...
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DefinitionsBiodegradable: Capable of being broken down by microorganisms
Biobased: Produced from rapidly renewable carbon
Bioplastic: A biobased OR biodegradable plastic
Microplastic: A plastic fragment measuring less than 5mm
Microbead: A spherical plastic particle, intentionally designed, and smaller than 1mm (primary)
Microbeads
Market for Polymer Microbeads
Medical Technology
33%
Life Sciences
25%
Composites24%
Personal Care11%
Other7%
Alternatives
Ingredients in this face wash include walnut shell powder
Natural biodegradable exfoliants:Salts, sugars, ground up walnut shells, ground up apricot pits, oatmeal, beeswax, shells, nuts, seeds, and sand
• Source • Primary vs. secondary
Are Microbeads Sole Culprit?
Current bioplastics are expensiveOpportunity
$0
$1
$2
$3
Oil-based Bio-based
Pric
e pe
r pou
nd ($
)
$$$
What is Methane?
A greenhouse gasproduced by
Methane (biogas)
Microbial process
Biopolymer
Products
Waste facility
To turn waste into ecofriendly, affordable materials while creating a
positive environmental impact.
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End-of-Life
Polyhydroxyalkanoate(PHA)
Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB)
PHB is one type of PHA
C
CC
O
OR
H2n
C
CC
O
OCH3
H2n
Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)
PHA = bacterial “fat”
PHA is produced when excess carbon is present and/or when a key nutrient is limiting
Daniel et al (1992)
Balanced growth conditions
Carbon excess and/or nutrient deficiency; PHA granules begin to form
How is PHA produced?
SERINE CYCLE
PHA CYCLE
TCA CYCLE
acetyl-coA
PHA
cell material
4HCHO CO2HCOO-CH3OHCH4
MethanolMethane Formaldehyde FormateCarbon dioxide (or bicarbonate)
PHA Production in Methanotrophs
Initial Targeted Products
Applications
Marine Agriculture 3D Printing
PLA: Heat Properties
BiodegradableBiobasedProduced with no GMOSequesters methane$~1.10/pound
Team
Pauchon Foundation
Location of MangoStandards
Decentralized Production
3 BILLION POUNDS OF BIOPLASTIC WOULD BE
PRODUCED EACH YEAR.
IF THE COLLECTED BUT UNUSED METHANE FROM U.S. LANDFILLS IS USED TO MAKE MANGO MATERIALS’ BIOPLASTIC: