report on initiatives focused on sustainable and biodegradable polymers ... · report on...

Report on initiatives focused on sustainable and

biodegradable polymers and plastics in past European

R&D programs

Univ.Prof. Dr. G Braunegg

ARENA

Graz, Inffeldgasse 21b, Austria

Searching CORDIS

1.) Searching CORDIS for PHAs, PLA, and starch products is a very

complex task. Only after using a high number of varying key-words

satisfactory results could be achieved. It still remains unclear whether

all projects funded in FP2 to FP7 really show up in the lists.

2.) Information in the CORDIS system is incomplete. Sometimes no

information is available on project funding, sometimes not even the

project objectives are mentioned.

3.) In many of the projects information is available only on the

coordinator, whilst the number of consortium members is lacking. It

can therefore not be judged if the funding increased during the

frameworks or not.

4.) The information on the project contents is very weak. It depends on

the texts delivered by the project coordinators, and the texts are

obviously not controlled by the EU officers.

5.) The search programme itself is faulty: see example below

6.) Projects

181 projects were found.

21. Double fresh

Programme Acronym FP6-FOOD

Project Reference: 23182 Project Acronym: DOUBLEFRESH

Status: Completed Duration: 40 months

22. Plants in Prehistory: Tierra del Fuego, ethno-archaeology, shell middens,

residues, use-wear analysis and experimentation to reconstruct the lost organic

record for the Mesolithic of Northern Europe

Programme Acronym FP6-MOBILITY

Project Reference: 518459 Project Acronym: PIP


23. Development of a pea starch film with trigger biodegradation properties for

agricultural applications

Programme Acronym FP6-SME

Project Reference: 516231 Project Acronym: TRIGGER


24. Residues: Unlocking the key to ancient plant use. Identification, extraction and

study of organic resiuddes adhering to stone tools as a means to recover empirical

evidence of prehistoric plant use


Project Reference: 7499 Project Acronym: RESKUE


25. Starch latex adhesives: 1) reduction of energy use during corrugated board

production, and 2) improved quality of compost and paper recycling processes

Programme Acronym EESD

Project Reference: 12784 Project Acronym: STARCH LATEX ADHESIV

Status: Execution Duration: 150 months

26. Isolation and characterization of Polysaccharide Synthases involved in the

biosynthesis of the potato cell wall

Programme Acronym LIFE QUALITY

Project Reference: QLK5-CT-1999- Project Acronym: IACOPS

http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=PROJ_TM_DE&ACTION=D&DOC=21&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=013311925899:dbbb:21330d51&RCN=79865













51430


27. Technological improvement of the utilisation of pulse proteins and fish protein

concentrate in fish feeds


Project Reference: Q5CR-2002-72052 Project Acronym: PULSEFISH


28. Assimilation and standardisation of environmentally friendly packaging

technologies within the food industry

Programme Acronym GROWTH

Project Reference: G1RT-CT-2002-

05068


29. Stable isotope applications to monitor starch digestion and fermentation for the

development of functional foods.


Project Reference: QLK1-CT-2001-

00431

Project Acronym: 13C-STARCH


30. Research and development of a high performance, broadband generic wastewater

seperation technology (MEST)

Programme Acronym EESD

Project Reference: EVK1-CT-2000-

30005

Project Acronym: MEST


31. Biodegradable extruded starch-based plastics for packaging material


Project Reference: G5ST-CT-2001-

50120

Project Acronym: BIOPACK


32. Thermal processing of biodegradable starch-based nanocomposites


Project Reference: G1ST-CT-2002- Project Acronym: STARCHMOULD











50173


33. High performance industrial polymers based on modified starch


Project Reference: G5RD-CT-1999-

00051

Project Acronym: HYDROSTAR


34. Development of a technology for the industrial production of cationic flour



00320


35. Biodegradable extruded starch based plastics for packaging material



00155

Project Acronym: BIO-PACK


36. Training site in food rheology and texture

Programme Acronym HUMAN POTENTIAL

Project Reference: HPMT-CT-2001-

00404


37. Genome mining for enzymes acting on starch


Project Reference: HPMI-CT-2001-

00123


38. Impact of the r1 protein on starch mobilisation in arabidopsis thaliana


Project Reference: HPMF-CT-2001-

01237








39. Organisation of the "x international starch convention"

Programme Acronym INCO 2

Project Reference: ICA1-CT-2002-

60016

Project Acronym: X ISC - PL


40. Development of high quality dietary fiber products from fruit and vegetable pulp


Project Reference: QLK1-CT-2000-

40585


New Search Previous 20 projects Next 20 projects

A click to the next 20 projects leads to a wrong site!

See below



http://cordis.europa.eu/ica/NEW_TM/DE/TM_PROJ_search.html

http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=PROJ_TM_DE&USR_SORT=EN_QVD_A+CHAR+DESC&QZ_WEBSRCH=starch&QM_EP_PJS=Accepted&QM_EP_PJS=Execution&QM_EP_PJS=Completed&DOC=1&QUERY=013311925899:dbbb:21330d51


Projects

90313 projects were found.

41. Enhancing Innovation in Pre-Commercial Public Purchasing Processes

Project Reference: 248703 Project Acronym: PRECO


42. Platform for Large Area Conformable Electronics by InTegration

Project Reference: 248048 Project Acronym: PLACE-IT


43. Ubiquitous Participation Platform for Policy Making

Project Reference: 248010 Project Acronym: UBIPOL


Project Reference: 027090 Project Acronym: FIT


Project Reference: 045480 Project Acronym: CHORUS


46. Assembly And Host Interactions Of Influenza Virus Polymerase In The Living

Cell

Project Reference: 236959 Project Acronym: INVIVOPOL


47. The debate between Islam and the West in science and technology







Project Reference: 249215 Project Acronym: DEBIWIST


48. Towards Women In Science and Technology

Project Reference: 244584 Project Acronym: TWIST


49. Marie Curie France Regions

Project Reference: 229635 Project Acronym: MCFR


50. Integrated Photonic Field-Effect Technology for bio-sensing functional

components

Project Reference: 248052 Project Acronym: PHOTO-FET


Project Reference: 507295 Project Acronym: MUSE


Project Reference: 034673 Project Acronym: WISECOM


53. The role of adenosine in placental development and function

Project Reference: 247793 Project Acronym: ADENOSINE


54. Mouse Model of CoQ deficiency: pathogenesis and treatment

Project Reference: 246691 Project Acronym: COQMITMEL








55. Practical Regional Innovation Policy in Action - The Efficient Tools for Regional

Catching-up in New Member States

Project Reference: 30121 Project Acronym: PROACT


56. Fostering the Research Dimension of Science and Technology Agreements

Project Reference: 248676 Project Acronym: FORESTA


Project Reference: 004677 Project Acronym: OASIS


Project Reference: 212830 Project Acronym: DIESIS


59. Rabbinic Literature in Moravia from the Fifteenth to the Nineteenth Century

Project Reference: 249292 Project Acronym: RLMFNC


60. Fish community structure and ecosystem properties in a global change context

Project Reference: 236316 Project Acronym: FISHECO


New Search Previous 20 projects Next 20 projects






http://cordis.europa.eu/ica/NEW_TM/DE/TM_PROJ_search.html



EU-FUNDED PROJECTS ON STARCH-BASED PLASTICS

(20 projects)

1 Design and development of an innovative ecoefficient low-substrate flexible paper

packaging from renewable resources to replace petroleum based barrier films

Programme Acronym FP7-NMP

Objectives: Design and to develop an innovative ecoefficient low-substrate

flexible paper for packaging from renewable resources to reduce

the packaging industry s reliance on barrier films derived from

petroleum.

1. The development of a substrate with significantly enhanced

barrier properties via knowledge-led improvement and

innovation such as the use of selected materials in the bulk and

the deposition of a thin film of renewable materials during the

paper forming.

2. Development of water borne coatings made from renewable

materials (starches, functionalised starches, starch derivatives or

modified hemicelluloses) and reinforced by (low eco-footprint)

minerals or renewable nano-particles to optimise the desired

properties.

3. Development of high barrier paper arising from innovative

surface treatments: Solvent free chemical grafting and vacuum

coating.

Project Funding: € 3.280.000.-

Duration: 36 months: 01.09.2008 – 31.08.2011

2 Development of a new recyclable long life co-injected high barrier packaging for food

applications, with broad design possibilities and reduced manufacturing costs


Objectives: Packages are made of combining no less than three materials in

five layers; a water barrier polymer (outer layers) cheap and

with good mechanical properties (PP,HIPS), an oxygen barrier

polymer with high cost (EVOH,PVDC,PA) and an adhesive to

join both. They are manufactured by a two-step process:

Coextrusion to produce a cast multilayer sheet and

Thermoforming to process the sheet into shapes.

COBAPACK approach will consist on:

* Using destructurized starch from rich protein plants(a by-

product with low cost soluble in water), to replace the synthetic

high barrier materials allowing the separation of the different

multilayer materials thus recycling 100% the final package

* Using co-injection process, one-step process with minimum

scrap losses, savings in energy comsumption and broad design

flexibility.

Project Funding: € 97.273.-

Duration: 24 months: 01.10.2009 – 30.09.2011

3 Development of a flexible and energy-efficient pressurised microwave heating

process to produce 3D-shaped renewable bio-polymer foams for a novel

generation of transportation packaging


Objectives: Within this framework, the project idea is to develop a flexible,

energy-efficient and environmentally-sustainable manufacturing

process enabling the production of biodegradable foamed 3D-

shaped packaging originating from renewable raw materials (i.e.

starch and water). Within the proposed process, expansion and

foaming of the bio-polymer will be driven by pressurized

microwave technology, exploiting the inner water content of the

material itself to generate vapour.

Project Funding: € 3,500.000.-

Duration: 48 months: 01.02.2009 – 31.01.2013

4 Development of sustainable composite materials


Objectives: The SustainComp project aims at the development of a series of

completely new wood-based sustainable composite materials for

use in a wide array of market sectors, ranging from the medical,

transportation and packaging to the construction sector. The

project encompasses the whole chain from production of

modified fibres and nanocellulose through compounding and

moulding to the final ecodesigned product for a number of

product families. More specifically the objective is to

demonstrate new products within the following product families:

- Nano-reinforced foams (to replace styrofoams in the packaging

and construction sector)

- Moulded type of compounds, to introduce cellulose reinforced

renewable biocomposites in the transportation and

construction sectors

- High throughput nanostructured membranes with designed

selectivity for small-scale liquid applications in the medical

field to large scale municipal applications


Duration: 48 months: 01.09.2008 – 31.08.2012

5 Development of a pea starch film with trigger biodegradation properties for

agricultural applications


Objectives: Investigate two alternative approaches to manufacture a film

with a controlled biodegradation start and rate (Trigger System):

1. A film based on a biopolymer with a low biodegradation

rate, which will incorporate a salt as a filler that will undergo

an exothermal reaction in contact with water.

2. A film based on a biopolymer with high biodegradation rate

whose biodegradation activity will be initially inhibited by

the addition of an anti-microbial additive and then promoted

when required. Inorganic anti-microbials will be considered

keeping in mind that they cannot be toxic for the soil.


Duration: 42 months: 01.06.2005 – 30.11.2008

6 The European Polysaccharide Network


Objectives: Polysaccharides (like cellulose or starch) are by far the largest

amount of all polymers produced in the world. Fully

biodegradable, they are made by Nature. They are the

sustainable polymeric materials of tomorrow, when synthetic

polymers coming from oil will become expensive and rare. To

organize now the EU scientific community around a network in

order to promote the use of these renewable raw materials as

industry feedstock for the manufacturing of advanced,

multifunctional materials is the purpose of this proposal. The

European Polysaccharide Network is composed of 16 large and

small world-class research groups from 9 countries, covering all

needed expertise (polysaccharide types and scientific

disciplines).


Duration: 54 months: 01.05.2005 – 31.10.2009

7 New Classes of Engineering Composite Materials from Renewable Resources


Objectives: The objective is to obtain innovations on engineering

thermoplastic and thermosetting materials mainly from natural

resources, like lignin from the paper industry and a hydro-

thermolysis, other biopolymers Polylactide,

Polyhydroxybutyrate, Starch, Furan resins, fibres and fibre mats.

The RTD includes the path from raw materials to final top

quality engineering composite materials and model products

(covers for electronic equipment, car front end, glass frames

etc.). Demonstration by prototypes will support dissemination

and exploitation of results and will show the benefits of the

materials.


Duration: 42 months: 01.04.2005 – 30.09.2008

8 Thermal processing of biodegradable starch-based nanocomposites

Programme Acronym FP5- GROWTH

Objectives: not available


Duration: 30 months: 01.09.2002 – 28.02.2005

9 Biodegradable extruded starch-based plastics for packaging material

Programme Acronym: FP5-GROWTH



Duration: 30 months: 01.12.2001 – 31.05.2004

10 Starch latex adhesives: 1) reduction of energy use during corrugated board

production, and 2) improved quality of compost and paper recycling processes

Programme Acronym: FP5-EESD

Objectives: Not available

Project Funding: 22.500.-

Duration: 150 Months: 28.12.2001 – 27.06.2014

11 High performance industrial polymers based on modified starch


Objectives: HYDROSTAR is an integrated European project on the

utilization of starch and starch derivatives in high quality , high

value industrial polymers and a parallel assessment of the

sustainability of such industrial polymers. The project addresses

the needs of European society for a more sustainable feedstock

base for large volume, high performance industrially useful

polymers, used in decorative surface coatings, adhesives, paper

coating and chemicals, extruded dermoplastics, superabsorbants

and co-builders for detergents, by changing the feedstocks of

such polymers to more renewable raw materials.


Duration: 36 months: 01.02.2000 – 31.01.2003

12 Biodegradable extruded starch based plastics for packaging material


Objectives: Current biodegradable packaging material lacks the combination

of required biodegradability, properties, shape and product costs.

This project however will develop a competitive alternative

through a novel approach introducing micro-scale blends of

starches and synthetic polymers using compatabiliser

techniques.


Duration: 12 months: 06.07.2000 – 05.07.2001

13 Development of a low cost, environmentally friendly, corn starch-based

packaging

Programme Acronym: FP4-FAIR



Duration: 12 months: 15.11.1997 – 14.11.1998

14 Biodegradable nanocomposite food packaging


Objectives: The general goal of the project is to develop a new

biodegradable food packaging material with a low permeability

for oxygen, carbondioxide, nitrogen and water vapour, by

homogeneously dispersing functionalised layered silicates (clay

minerals) in thermoplastic starch via polymer melt processing

techniques. This will be achieved by means of the following

specific objectives and tasks:

(1) modification of layered silicates, ie. Clay minerals, with

anew class of non-ionic modifying agents in order to

compatibilise the clay with thermoplastic starch;

(2) development of a polymer melt process, compatible with

current polymer processing techniques, to homogeneously

dispers modified clay particles in thermoplastic starch in order

to produce starch-clay nanocoposite films;

(3) characteriation of the nanocomposite films with respect to

mechanical and barrier properties, thermal stability and

biodegradability;

(4) optimisation of the polymer melt processing by adjusting the

chemical structure of the starch, the clay modification agents

and the clay content;

(5) development of prototype packaging film material for food

applications, including a full characterisation of the prototypes;

(6) upscaling of the modification of the clay minerals and the

dispersion of the modified clay minerals in thermoplastic starch

via polymer melt processing to a 5 kg pilot plant scale.


Duration: 36 months: 01.01.1999 – 31.12.2001

15 New materials deriving from cellulocis fibers, agricultural commodities and

wastes

Programme Acronym: FP4- BRITE/EURAM 3

Objectives: The following objectives will be pursued: 1 - Achievement of

non-woven from European fibers like flax and hemp, recycled

papers, sorghum and biodegradable binders (starches, lignin); 2 -

Achievement of polymeric (thermoplastic or thermosetting)

based composites reinforced with natural fibers deriving from

annual crops. Steps of proposed research programme: 1 -

Preparation of starch-based materials with high amylose content

in order to decrease the water absorption. 2 - Preparation of

blends with starch products and synthetic polymers

(polypropylene, polycaprolactone and nylon) or bacterial

biodegradable polyesters (polyhydroxybutyrate and its

copolymers) . 3 - Preparation and characterisation of non-woven

(dry and wet laid using as binder neat starch and its derivates

and lignin). 4 - Preparation of composite materials having as

matrices thermosetting or thermoplastic polymers reinforced

with annual plants fibers. S - Evaluation of biodegradability of

obtained products and their environmental impact and industrial

applications of some manufactured.

Project Funding: not available

Duration: 24 months: 01.01.1997 – 31.12.1998

16 REFINING OF EUROPEAN WHEATS FOR PRODUCTION OF HIGH-

QUALITY PRODUCTS FOR THE PAPER INDUSTRY


Objectives: 1) Production of uniform high quality non-food wheat by

grading;

2) dry fractionation of uniform low protein wheats;

3) Inactivation and control of biochemical and microbiological

activity;

4) Chemical modification of low protein/high starch wheat

flours in dry state;

5) Development and utilization of on-line process and product

control system;

6) Industrial testing and market evaluation of high quality

modified starch flours.

The main savings are calculated as follows:

1) the traditional wet milling of starch is characterized by high

water and energy consumption while the dry cascade refining

consumes no water, no fuel oil and a very limited amount of

electrical power.

2) Chemical modification is carried out in dry state processes

while present processes are wet. The savings in production costs

are estimated to at least30/40%.

3) This new integrated chain will increase the yield of finished

products by 50%.


Duration: 48 months: 01.10.1996 – 30.09.2000

17 NEW PAPER INDUSTRY USES OF ADVANCED CHEMICALLY MODIFIED

AND BIOLOGICALLY IMPROVED STARCH GRADES

Programme Acronym: FF3-AIR

Objectives: Starch for coating : by controlling the covering ability of the

coating color and the paper optical properties, while minimizing

the negative effect of viscosity, starch could replace a significant

part of latex and other synthetic polymers. This could be

obtained through the control of pigment aggregation induced by

modified starches.

Starch as filler : the use of starches as fillers requires a

modification for controlling its swelling in water. Completely

insolubilized starches can be used in order to improve opacity.

Partly swollen starches are able to bond with fibre surfaces, thus

improving paper strength. For a good retention, the chemical

cross-link may also be coupled to an adjustment of electric

charges.

Each subject will contain three phases : definition of new

derivatives, laboratory screening, trials on high speed pilots and

semi-industrial machines.


Duration: 24 months: 01.01.1995 – 31.12.1997

18 THERMOPLASTIC STARCHES FOR INDUSTRIAL NON-FOOD USES

Programme Acronym: FP3-AIR

Objectives: The overall aims of the research are to look at the basic

relationships between structure and properties in thermoplastic

starches. On the basis of increased knowledge, it is hoped to

develop new technology and improve existing technology

concerned with melting processes and mechanisms

plasticisation, as well as characterise the molten phase and its

time dependent properties. In addition, the project will generate

and test predictions of the properties of starch based

thermoplastics (TS) and their relationship to raw material

sources and processing conditions, as well as to evaluate to what

extent the addition of other polymers lead to improved

characteristics. A further objective is to identify new outlets for

thermoplastic starches, determine areas of application and to

identify the best raw materials for such applications.


Duration: 48 months: 01.09.1994 – 31.08.1998

19 Process technology development for the production of completely

biodegradable packing material based on starch without non-biodegradable

additives or polymers

Programme Acronym: FP3-CRAFT

Objectives: The target of this project is the development of the worldwide

first competitive production process tor the industrial extrusion

and manufacture of completely biodegradable and flexible

packing material based on starch. The production of these

plastics is a conventional manufacturing process. Because of the

totally different properties of the raw material starch in

comparison to conventional plastics a new process technology,

extrusion and manufacturing process has to be developed for

these bio-plastics.

Project Funding: not available

Duration: 3 months: 01.05.1994 – 31.07.1994

20 New materials deriving from cellulosic fibers crops, agricultural commodities

and wastes

Programme Acronym: FP3-CRAFT

Objectives: 1- Achievement of starch-based materials blended with

thermoplastic polymers (biodegradable or not);

2- Achievement of polymeric (thermoplastic or thermosetting)

based composites reinforced with natural fibers deriving from

annual crops (kenaf, sorghum, etc.).

3 Achievement of non-woven from european fibers like flax and

hemp. Steps of proposed research programme:

1- Preparation of starch-based materials with high amylose

content in order to decrease the water absorption;

2- Preparation of blends with starch products and synthetic

polymers (polypropylene, polycaprolactone and nylon) or

bacterial biodegradable polyesters (polyhydroxybutyrate and its

copolymers);

3- Preparation of composite materials having as matrices

thermosetting or thermoplastic polymers reinforced with plants

fibers;

4- Preparation and characterization of non-woven (dry and wet-

laid using as binder neat starch and its derivates;

5- Evaluation of biodegradability of obtained products and their

environmental impact and industrial applications of some

manufactured.

Project Funding: Not available

Duration: 3 months: 01.05.1994 – 31.07.1994

EU-FUNDED PROJECTS ON STARCH-BASED PLASTICS:

FP3-CRAFT: 1

FP3-AIR: 2 FP3: Information incomplete

FP4-FAIR: 3 FP4- BRITE/EURAM 3: 1 FP4: Information incomplete

FP5-GROWTH: 4

FP5-EESD: 1 FP5: € 3,261.468.-

FP6-NMP: 2

FP6-SME: 1 FP6: € 13,210.000.-

FP7-NMP: 3

FP7-SME 1 FP7: € 13,377.273.-

Total: 20 projects, per FP 3 – 5 projects funded

Total funding FP5 to FP7: € 29,848.741.-

EU-FUNDED PROJECTS ON PHAs (21 projects)

1 NOVEL NANO-REINFORCED BIODEGRADABLE COMPOSITES: DESIGN

AND CHARACTERIZATION (NANOBIOCOMP)

Programme Acronym: FP7-PEOPLE

Objectives: Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)-PHBV-is

addressed by reinforcing its properties using natural available

fillers, such as clay (layered silicate). The resulting nano-

composites will be characterized in detail and new insight

regarding their processing-structure-property relationship

provided

Funding: € 166.565.-

Duration: 24 months, 01.09.2011 – 31.08.2013

2 NOVEL PROCESSING ROUTES FOR EFFECTIVE SEWAGE SLUDGE

MANAGEMENT

Programme Acronym: FP7-ENVIRONMENT

Objectives: Promote recovery of valuable materials from anaerobic

digestion, i.e. biopolymers as polyhydroxyalkanoates and

fertilizers

Funding: € 3,364.600.-

Duration: 36 months, 01.05.2011 – 30.04.2014

3 NEW TAYLOR-MADE PHB-BASED NANOCOMPOSITES FOR HIGH

PERFORMANCE APPLICATIONS PRODUCED FROM

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRODUCTION ROUTES

(BUGWORKERS)

Programme Acronym: FP7-NMP

Objectives: Develop a new cost-competitive and environmentally friendly

bio-nanocomposite material based on the combination of a

polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) matrix with new chemical, structure

produced by new fermentation culture technology with two

types of nano-fibres, cellulose whiskers and lignin-based. A

tailor-made PHB biopolymer structure obtained using new

fermentation culture conditions, i.e, by synergic combination of

different media and precursor feedings (specific sugar blends)

obtained from hydrolyzed bio-mass, being able to select a

structure to provide a PHB with enhanced functionalities

(improved thermal and chemical properties, cellulose

compatibility, processing, higher impact,..) in comparison with

commercial ones

Funding: € 3,400.430.-

Duration: 48 months, 01.07.2010 – 30.06.2014

4 RESEARCH IN NEW BIOMASS-BASED COMPOSITES FROM

RENEWABLE RESOURCES WITH IMPROVED PROPERTIES FOR

VEHICLE PARTS MOULDING


Objectives: Development of new biomass-based composites validated for

the automotive industry based on PLA, PHB, and new protein-

based biopolymer

Funding: € 2.820.000.-

Duration: 48 months, 01.06.2010 – 31.05.2014

5 BIOTECHNOLOGICAL CONVERSION OF CARBON CONTAINING

WASTES FOR ECO-EFFICIENT PRODUCTION OF HIGH ADDED VALUE

PRODUCTS (ANIMPOL)

Programme Acronym: FP7-KBBE

Objectives: PHA production from slaughterhouse waste and biodiesel from

saturated fatty acids. Characterization and optimization of the

polyesters produced.

Funding: € 2,895.660

Duration: 36 months, 01.01.2010 – 31.12.2012

6 MOBILISING THE ENZYMATIC POTENTIAL OF

HYDROCARBONOCLASTIC BACTERIA AND THE OLEAGINOUS YEAST

YARROWIA LIPOLYTICA TO CREATE A POWERFUL CELLULAR

PRODUCTION PLATFORM FOR LIPID-DERIVED INDUSTRIAL

MATERIALS (LIPOYEASTS)

Project Acronym: FP7-KBBE

Objectives: Develop the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica into a microbial

factory by directing its versatile lipid metabolism towards the

production of industrially valuable compounds like wax esters (WE),

polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA s), free hydroxyl fatty acids (HFA s) and

isoprenoid-derived compounds (carotenoids, polyenic carotenoid ester)

Funding: € 911.111.-

Duration: 36 months, 01.08.2008 – 31.07.2011

7 PRODUCTION OF POLYHYDROXYALKANOATES FROM OLIVE OIL

MILLS WASTE WATER

Programme Acronym: FP6-SME

Objectives: Production of a variety of PHAs from olive oil waste water

Funding: € 600.949.-

Duration: 27 months, 15.09.2006 – 14.12.2008

8 SUSTAINABLE MICROBIAL AND BIOCATALYTICAL PRODUCTION OF

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS (BIOPRODUCTION)


Objectives: Development of novel sustainable bioprocesses for the

production of functional bioproducts (e.g., lactic acid- and PHA-

based polyesters , chitosan and alginate biopolymers,

polysaccharide-based biosurfactants

Funding: € 8,983.187.-

Duration: 52 months, 01.09.2006 – 31.12.2010

9 SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF POLYHYDROXYACID

FUNCTIONALIZED METHATHESIS POLYACETYLENES

Programme Acronym: FP6-MOBILITY

Objectives: Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable graft

copolymers with a regular non-polar backbone via metathesis

polymerisation and the biocompatible, polar side chain via ring

opening polymerization. Comparison of the properties of

biodegradable polymers with polyhydroxyacid side chains and

those carrying alcohol functional groups will give information of

the nature of the non-polar backbone and polar side chain

Funding: € 40.000.-

Duration: 12 months, 01.03.2006 – 28.02.2007

10 NEW CLASSES OF ENGINEERING COMPOSITE MATERIALS FROM

RENEWABLE RESOURCES


Objectives: The objective is to obtain innovations on engineering

thermoplastic and thermosetting materials mainly from natural

resources, like lignin from the paper industry and a

hydrothermolysis, other biopolymers polylactide,

polyhydroxybutyrate, starch, furan resins, fibres and fibre mats.

Methodologies from raw materials to final top quality

engineering composite materials and model products (covers for

electronic equipment, car front end, glass frames etc.) are

covered.

Funding: € 6,660.000.-

Duration: 42 months, 01.04.2005 – 30.09.2008

11 BIORESORBABLE POLYMER FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS


Objectives: Synthesise a series of novel biodegradable polymers consisting

of polyoxonorbornene backbones with poly (hydroxyacid) side

chains, and to study the variation in physical and mechanical

properties of these polymers as a function of degradation under

simulated biological conditions

Funding: € 169.366.-

Duration: 24 months, 01.03.2004 – 28.02.2006

12 DAIRY INDUSTRY WASTE AS SOURCE FOR SUSTAINABLE POLYMERIC

MATERIAL PRODUCTION (WHEYPOL)


Objectives: Production of PHAs from surplus whey and development of

packaging items from the biopolymers produced.

Funding: € 1,268.682.-

Duration: 36 months, 01.12.2001 – 30.11.2004

13 DEMONSTRATION THAT BACTERIAL POLYESTERS ARE AS RELIABLE

AS THE WELL PROVEN POLYSTYRENE IN ANALYTICAL TEST

SYSTEMS

Programme Acronym: FP4-BIOTECH 2

Objectives: Fine-tuning the current industrial fermentation and extraction

procedures used for the production of injection moulding grades

to get materials (PHA,PLA) with constant protein affinities;

optimization of blending/compounding of the fermented and

extracted materials to the needs of the specific application;

adaptation of the present injection moulding procedures to the

new applications; thoroughly testing of the materials in different

labs with multiple antigens and antibodies to demonstrate

reproducibility, ease of use and economics of the proposed goal

Funding: no information available

Duration: 24 months, 01.12.1998 – 30.11.2000

14 PHA PRODUCTION FROM SUGAR CANE DERIVATIVES

Programme Acronym: FP4-INCO

Objectives: Development of a fermentation process for the production of

biodegradable PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates) from cheap

renewable substrates employing a previously isolated bacterial

strain and agroindustrial products.

Initiation of a screening program to detect and isolate new

bacterial strains with the capabilities to produce PHAs with

different properties for future applications from renewable

substrates.

Basic studies on the biochemistry and genetics of PHA granules

associated proteins in the bacterial strains mentioned above.


Duration: 36 months, 01.01.1998 – 31.12.2000

15 DEVELOPMENT OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER MODIFIERS


Objectives: The research is directed towards the preparation,

characterization and use of modifiers that can be used as third

components in the blending of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and

polyhydroxybutyrate co valerate (PHBV) with cheaper

biodegradable polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL); A

novel range of ester teased plasticisers will also be produced in

the expectation that these will act as modifiers of the physical

properties of the blends of the polymers. Existing

photoactivators known to promote the oxidative degradation of

polymers such LLDPE to low molecular weightbioerodible

products will also be used in the preparation of PHB/PHBV

blends with LLDPE.


Duration: 30 months, 01.12.1998 – 31.05.2001

16 DEVELOPMENT OF A SIMPLE TECHNOLOGY IN DRINKING WATER

TREATMENT FOR NITRATE AND PESTICIDE REMOVAL

Programme Acronym: 4FP-INCO

Objectives: Heterotrophic denitrification with natural organic solid

substrates (e.g. straw, bark of woods, hydrolyzed birchwood,

Glycyrrhiza glabra); Heterotrophic denitrification with

biodegradable polymers (e.g. Poly-beta-Hydroxy-Butyric acid

(PHB), Poly-(-Caprolactone (PCL)); Chemolithotrophic

denitrification using sulfur


Duration: 44 months, 01.11.1997 - – 30.06.2001

17 SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYESTERS IN

STARCH-STORING CROP PLANTS (PHASTICS)


Objectives: Development of a collection of novel bacterial polyesters (poly-

[3-hydroxyalkanoates]) and their production in oleaginous

yeasts and ultimately in starch-storing crop plants. The project

involves the identification, isolation and characterization of

bacterial genes involved in the biosynthesis of different medium

chain length (mcl, C6-C16) PHAs and PHB. In addition, genes

that mediate the supply of sufficient and adequate precursors

both from bacterial and plant origin are similarly being isolated

and characterized

Funding: € 800.000.-

Duration: 36 months, 01.01.1997 – 31.12.1999

18 BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGING MATERIALS SYNTHESIS

MODIFICATION & ENVIRONMENTAL FATE AND IMPACT


Objectives: Polymers synthesis by ring-opening polymerization of beta-

butyrolactones or cyclic anhydrosulphites. Both the

homopolymers and copolymers of these monomers with

caprolactone or valeroactone will be prepared and characterized

for use as potential biodegradable materials. In addition to the

synthesis of novel materials, existing materials such as PHB-HV

will be modified either by blending with cheaper materials or by

transesterification reactions; Generation of a range of polymers

and copolymers that are linear polyesters of controlled

architecture; determine the structural factors that control

environmental degradation, whilst the polymer remains

hydrolytically stable; Environmental degradation;

Funding: € 790.000.-

Duration: 36 months, 01.01.1993 – 31.12.1995

19 BIODEGRADIBILITY OF BIOPLASTICS: PRENORMATIVE RESEARCH;

BIORECYCLING AND ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS


Objectives: Development of methods for the assessment of biodegradability

of bioplastics

Development of standard test systems

Evaluation of methods for the biorecycling of bioplastics

Evaluation of the ecological impacts of production,

biodegradation and biorecycling of bioplastics.

Funding: € 1.790.000.-

Duration: 36 months, 01.12.1993 – 30.11.1996

20 DEVELOPMENT OF BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC AND EQUIPMENT TO

PROCESS IT INTO ORIENTED CONTAINERS

Project Acronym: FP2- BRITE/EURAM 1

Objectives: Development of a process for isolating bacterial polyesters (i.e.

PHBHV) so that they are of suitable purity and melt behaviour

to process into biodegradable oriented food containers.

Development of new machinery for melting, forming and

orienting these polymers in a reproducible manner.

Characterization of the physical, chemical and biodegradation

properties of these new containers


Duration: 36 months, 01.03.1990 – 01.03.1993

21 NOVEL BIOSYNTHETIC ROUTES FOR AND BIODEGRADATION OF

POLY- HYDROXY ALKANOATES MADE BY GENETICALLY

ENGINEERED STRAINS OF BACTERIA AND PLANTS

Programme Acronym: FP2-ECLAIR

Objectives: Novel pathways of copolymer hydroxybutyrate/hydroxyvalerate

(HB/HV) and polyhydroxydecanoate synthesis in Rhodococcus

species and Pseudomonas polyhydroxyalkanoate respectively.

Testing of the GMOs produced. Investigation of the properties

of the novel polyesters. Studies on biodegradation

Project Funding: no information available

Duration: 48 months: 01.01.1990 – 31.12.1993

EU-FUNDED PROJECTS ON PHAs:

FP2-ÉCLAIR 1 FP2- BRITE/EURAM 1 1 FP2 : Funding not available

FP3-AIR 1

FP3- BRITE/EURAM 2 1 FP3: € 2,850.000.-

FP4-FAIR 1

FP 4-INCO 2

FP4- BRITE/EURAM 3 1

FP4-BIOTECH 2 1 FP4: Information incomplete

FP5-GROWTH 1 FP5: € 1,268.682.-

FP6-MOBILITY 2

FP6-NMP 2

FP6-SME 1 FP6: € 16,453.502.-

FP7-KBBE 2

FP7-NMP 2

FP7-ENVIRONMENT 1

FP7-PEOPLE 1 FP7: € 13,558.366



EU-FUNDED PROJECTS ON PLA

1 COMPLEX SUPRAMOLECULAR ARCHITECTURES VIA THE

MICELLIZATION OF SEMICRYSTALLINE-COIL BLOCK COPOLYMERS:

SYNTHESIS AND HIERARCHICAL SELF-ASSEMBLY

(SUPRANANOASSEMBLY)

Programme Acronym: FP7-People

Objectives: Development of nanostructured soft materials based on the

solution self-assembly of polymers containing crystalline

stereocomplexed polylactide or polycaprolactone segments

Funding: € 272.636.-

Duration: 24 months, 01.04.2011 – 31.03.2013

2 ACTIVE MULTILAYER PACKAGING BASED ON OPTIMIZED PLA

FORMULATIONS FOR MINIMALLY PROCESSED VEGETABLES AND

FOODS (PLA4FOOD)


Objectives: Development of innovative active and biodegradable packaging

for fresh-cut food products based on renewable resources

thermoplastic materials (PLA-polylactic acid ) functionalised

with the synergic addition of additives from natural sources

(antioxidants, antibacterial and antifungal) in order to increase

the shelf-life of packed products.

Funding: € 1,108.845.-

Duration: 30 months, 01.12.2010 – 31.05.2013

.

3 CRYSTAL ENGINEERING OF SELF-ASSEMBLED DIBLOCK

COPOLYMERS WITH A CRYSTALLINE CORE FORMING BLOCK


Objectives: Exploration of the extension to polylactide block copolymer

materials

Funding: € 240.289.-

Duration: 24 months, 01.06.2010 – 31.05.2012

4 CRYSTALLIZATION OF POLYMERS IN THE PRESENCE OF INORGANIC

NANOPARTICLES – A WAY TOWARDS PIEZOELECTRIC ‘SMART’

NANOCOMPOSITES (SMARTPIEZOCOMPOSITE)

Project Acronym: FP7-PEOPLE

Objectives: Smart piezoelectric materials based on poly(vinylidene

fluoride), investigation of materials based on poly(L-lactic acid )

Funding: € 168.969.-

Duration: 24 months, 01.10.2010 – 30.09.2012

5 RESEARCH IN NEW BIOMASS-BASED COMPOSITES FROM

RENEWABLE RESOURCES WITH IMPROVED PROPERTIES FOR

VEHICLE PARTS MOULDING


Objectives: Development of new biomass-based composites validated for

the automotive industry based on PLA, PHB, and new protein-

based biopolymer

Funding: € 2.820.000.-

Duration: 48 months, 01.06.2010 – 31.05.2014

6 THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SINGLE-SCREW EXTRUSION PROCESS FOR

PRODUCTION OF LOW DENSITY BIODEGRADABLE FOAM FOR

THERMOFORMED FOOD PACKAGING APPLICATIONS (PLA-FOAM)


Objectives: Development of a supercritical CO2 - assisted foam extrusion

process and thermoforming method that will produce

unmodified PLA foam products with greatly reduced thermal

degradation

Project funding: € 1,078.864

Duration: 24 months, 01.10.2009 – 30.09.2011

7 DEVELOPMENT OF NEW STRATEGIES FOR OSTEOCHONDRAL

REGENERATION

Programme Acronym: FP7-PEOPLE

Objectives: The scaffold will be constructed by degradable PLA/PCL blends

with tailorable degradation mechanisms. The collage II and

hyaluronan gel will be incorporated into the large pore region by

plastic compression to enhance chondrogenesis, whilst HA and

TRAP signalling components will be adhered to small pore

region to promote bone formation.

Funding: € 131.594.-

Duration: 18 months, 01.08.2009 – 31.01.2011

8 DEVELOPMENT OF CROSSLINKED FLEXIBLE BIO-BASED AND

BIODEGRADABLE PIPE AND DRIPPERS FOR MICRO-IRRIGATION

APPLICATIONS


Objectives: Development of plastic pipes and drippers for micro-irrigation

produced with bio-based and biodegradable material which will

maintain their functional properties during lifespan and at the

same time biodegrade after use without the need to remove and

dispose.

Reactive extrusion: A low module biopolymer and/or polymeric

plasticisers and graft coupling agents will be added to the

current PLA, using a compounding multi screw extruder.

Extrusion pipeline crosslinking (standard equipment): Addition

of organosilanes or peroxides to the previous blend (PLA plus

additives) and production of the pipe. The same process will be

applied for the drippers with standard injection moulding

machines.

Funding: € 1,100.000

Duration: 36 months, 01.07.2009 – 30.06.2012

9 DEVELOPMENT OF BENIGN METAL ALKOXIDE INITIATORS FOR

STEREOSELECTIVE SYNTHESIS OF POLYESTERS FOR APPLICATION

AS SCAFFOLD IN TISSUE ENGINEERING


Objectives: Development of a new generation of catalyst which shows

higher activities and stereoselectivity for the ring opening

polymerization of cyclic esters such as rac-lactide, -

caprolactone for products in biomedical applications

Funding: € 171.867,.

Duration: 24 months, 01.03.2009 – 28.02.2011

10 TRANSFORMATION OF THE RESIDUAL WHEY PERMEATE FROM THE

CHEESE MANUFACTURE: LACTIC ACID PRODUCTION


Objectives: Process design for the lactic acid production from deproteinized

whey. New immobilisation techniques will be applied in

fermentation process with near Infrared spectroscopy that will

be set as analytical tool to control the process in a quantitative

way, at real time

Funding: € 947.618.-

Duration: 24 months, 01.11.2008 – 31.10.2010

11 CREATION OF A SYNTHETIC; ABSORBABLE; HAEMOSTATIC FLEECE

FOR DELIVERY OF ACTIVE AGENTS INTO HEALING WOUNDS

(SYNTHAFLEECE)


Objectives: Development of a new, totally synthetic medical device based

on a poly-lactide (PLA) polymer platform that is capable of the

sustained release of ionic silver, antibiotics and bone

morphogenetic proteins

Funding: € 1,017.918.-

Duration: 33 months, 01.09.2008 – 31.05.2011

12 PROACTIVE BIOBASED CHEESE PACKAGING (Biopack)

Programme Acronym: FP6-LIFE QUALITY

Objectives: Application of preservatives encapsulated in cyclodextrins

(CDs) incorporated into PLA (polylactic acid ) and PHB (poly

3-hydroxybutyrate) as active protective agents in this bio-based

system.


Duration: 24 months: 15.03.2006 – 14.03.2008

13 BIOMIMETIC SURFACE MODIFICATION OF TISSUE ENGINEERING

SCAFFOLDS WITH GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS


Objectives: Biomimetic surface modification of polylactid acid (PLA) as a

material approved for biomedical applications

Funding: € 158.198.-

Duration: 24 months, 20.02.2006 – 19.02.2008

14 SUSTAINABLE MICROBIAL AND BIOCATALYTICAL PRODUCTION OF

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS (BIOPRODUCTION)


Objectives: Development of novel sustainable bioprocesses for the

production of functional bioproducts (e.g., lactic acid - and

PHA-based polyesters, chitosan and alginate biopolymers,

polysaccharide-based biosurfactants


Duration: 52 months, 01.09.2006 – 31.12.2010

15 SYNTHESIS OF BIODEGRADABLE ALIPHATIC POLYESTERS FOR

PACKAGING AND BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS (DIBOB)

Programme Acronym: FP6 –MOBILITY

Objectives: Synthesis of poly(lactic acid ) homopolymer and poly(lactic

acid )-co-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA-PEG) copolymers using a

non toxic potassium based catalyst

Funding: € 241.626.-

Duration: 24 months: 15.03.2006 – 14.03.2008

16 NEW CLASSES OF ENGINEERING COMPOSITE MATERIALS FROM

RENEWABLE RESOURCES (BIOCOMP)

Programme Acronyme: FP6-NMP

Objectives: Obtain innovations on engineering thermoplastic and

thermosetting materials mainly from natural resources, like

lignin from the paper industry and a Hydrothermolysis, other

biopolymers Polylactide, Polyhydroxy-butyrate, Starch, Furan

resins, fibres and fibre mats.

Funding: € 6,658.485.-

Duration: 42 months, 01.04.2005 – 30.09.2008

17 BIORESORBABLE POLYMERS FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

(RESPOLMED)


Objectives: Synthesis of a series of novel biodegradable polymers consisting

of polyoxonorbornene backbones with poly (hydroxyacid) side

chains

Funding: € 169.366.-

Duration: 24 months, 01.03.2004 – 28.02.2006

18 MOLECULAR CATALYSIS AT UEA (MOLCAT)


Objectives: Research to find new, selective catalysts for the synthesis of

polyesters , notably polylactide from biomass

Funding: € 85.534.-

Duration: 24 months, 08.01.2004 – 07.01.2005

19 DEMONSTRATION THAT BACTERIAL POLYESTERS ARE AS RELIABLE

AS THE WELL PROVEN POLYSTYRENE IN ANALYTICAL TEST

SYSTEMS

Programme Acronym: FP4-BIOTECH 2

Objectives: Fine-tuning the current industrial fermentation and extraction

procedures used for the production of injection moulding grades

to get materials (PHA,PLA) with constant protein affinities;

optimization of blending/compounding of the fermented and

extracted materials to the needs of the specific application;

adaptation of the present injection moulding procedures to the

new applications; thoroughly testing of the materials in different

labs with multiple antigens and antibodies to demonstrate

reproducibility, ease of use and economics of the proposed goal


Duration: 24 months, 01.12.1998 – 30.11.2000

20 STUDY OF A NOVEL DEGRADABLE HYDROGEL OF THE PLA/PEO/PLA

TYPE ADAPTED TO SIMULTANEOUS DELIVERY AND LIPOPHILIC

DRUGS

Project Acronym: FP4- TMR

Objectives: 1. Synthesis of PLA/PEO/PLA or PCL/PEO/PCL triblock

copolymers. 2. Characterization of the copolymers by various

analytical techniques. 3. Formation of hydrogels in the presence

of a drug. 4. Study of the release of the drugs.


Duration: 12 months, 15.10.1998 – 14.10.1999

21 PRODUCTION OF BIODEGRADABLE FILMS AND BOTTLES MADE OF

POLYLACTIC ACIDS-POLYMERS-PLA

Project Acronym: FP4-FAIR

Objectives: no further information available

Funding: € 1,700.000

Duration: 36 months, 01.09.1997 – 31.08.2000

22 DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE BIODEGRADABLE POLYLACTIC

ACIDS-POLYMERS, BASED ON AGRICULTURAL RAW MATERIALS FOR

NEW INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS


Objectives: Development of PLA (polylactic acid ) polymers industrial

applications. Development of an integrated fermentation process

coupled to a continuous separation technique


Duration: 24 months: 01.01.1995 – 31.12.1997

23 FERMENTATIVE UTILIZATION OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE POMACE

AND BIOWASTE FOR PRODUCTION OF NOVEL TYPES OF PRODUCTS


Objectives: Utilization of vegetable waste for production of e.g.lactic acid

Project funding: € 832.013.-

Duration: 36 months, 01.01.1994 – 31.12.1996

24 BIODEGRADABILITY OF BIOPLASTICS: PRENORMATIVE RESEARCH

BIORECYCLING AND ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS


Objectives: Studying ecological impacts of production, biodegradation and

biorecycling of bioplastics, development of new methods and

standards


Duration: 36 months: 01.12.1993 – 30.11.1996

25 TECHNOLOGIES FOR OPTIMISATION OF MUCOSAL IMMUNE

RESPONSES

Programme Acronym: FP3-BIOTECH1

Objectives: Objective of this project are the development and assessment of

new technologies to induce mucosal immune responses.

Microspheres: (Partner D) A multiple emulsion-evaporation

solvent technique and spray-drying are the two methods which

have been optimalized to produce calibrated microparticles (1-

10 mm) containing the Sm28GST from several biodegradable

polymers (PLA, PLAGA & PCL) selected on basis of their

huydrophobicity

Funding: € 980.000.-

Duration: 36 months, 01.09.1993 – 31.08.1996

EU-FUNDED PROJECTS ON PLA:

FP3- BIOTECH 1 1

FP3-AIR 3 FP3: € 6,327.169.-_

FP4-FAIR 1

FP4- TMR 1

FP4-BIOTECH 2 1 FP4: Information incomplete

FP6-MOBILITY 4

FP6-NMP 2

FP6-LIFE QUALITY 1 FP6: € 17,880.814.-

FP7-SME 5

FP7-PEOPLE 5 FP7: € 9,058.600.-



Conclusions

1. The study may be incomplete due to the bad and complicated electronic

research system in CORDIS. Searching CORDIS for PHAs, PLA, and

starch products is a very complex task. Only after using a high number

of varying key-words satisfactory results could be achieved. It still

remains unclear whether all projects funded in FP2 to FP7 really show

up in the lists

2. Information in the CORDIS system is incomplete. In a number of cases

no information is available on project funding; sometimes not even the

project objectives are mentioned.

3. In many projects information is available only on the coordinator, whilst

the number of consortium members is lacking. It can therefore not be

judged if the funding per research partner increased during the

frameworks or not.

4. The information on the project objectives often is very weak. It depends

on the texts delivered by the project coordinators, and the texts are

obviously not controlled by the EU officers. This is a serious problem

since this means that only those directly involved in a project or those

close to them have knowledge of the project and its results. Other

researchers cannot get this information. It should therefore not be

surprising if a similar topic to one already researched or done could be

proposed again. The result is less than optimal development, inefficient

use of funds and research going in circles.

5. In total 64 projects have been funded in the frameworks FP2 to FP7.

Comparing the distribution of funded projects in the fields Starch based

plastics, Polyhydroxyalkanoates, and Polylactic Acid an equal

distribution can be found (20 : 20 : 24). Obviously there are no political

preferences for any of the fields. From my own experience as a referee in

FP4, FP5, and FP7 the decisions for funding projects mainly depend on

the quality of the proposals submitted, judged by the referees.

6. A comparison of the funding in FP 2 to FP4 can not be made due to

incomplete information available. Compared to the period FP5 to FP7 it

can be stated that much less money was spent in FP 2 to FP4 than in FP5

to FP7. Obviously the importance of bio-plastics and bio-derived plastics

is judged higher starting with FP5, whilst in FP6 and FP7 funding

reached a maximum.

7. For the 3 fields named under 5. the following amounts of Euros have

been spent:

Framework

Programme

Number and €

spent for Starch

Projects

Number and €

spent for PHAs

Projects

Number and €

spent for PLA

Projects

FP5 5 3,261.468.- 1 1,268.682.- 0 -----

FP6 3 13,210.000.- 5 16,453.502.- 7 17,880.814.-

FP7 4 13,377.273.- 6 13,558.366.- 10 9,058.600.-

Total 12 29,848.741.- 12 31,280.550.- 17 26,939.414.-

So, a total of € 88,068.705.- was spent for financing sustainable plastics.

Whilst financing for projects on Starch (FP7 101,3% of FP6) and

projects on PHAs (FP7 82,4% of FP6) seem to be rather stable in FP6

and FP7, funding on PLA projects has tremendously dropped in FP7

(only 50,66% of the FP6 success).

Future

Discussed for PHAs only

Research funding did not create industrial production in Europe, even

though first attempts to reach this were here (ICI, Zeneca technology

later sold to Monsanto).

Open Questions: Ideal fermentation technology (continuous instead

of fed-batch, )

Downstream process (Extraction, solubilisation of

residual biomass instead of extraction, purification)

Increased product quality (taylor-made PHAs,

copolyesters, terpolyesters, blocked polymers)

http://news.cec.eu.int/comm/research/industrial_technologies/articles/article_805_en.html

Dairy industry waste is a potential source of biologically-produced polymers with commercial applications in packaging. WHEYPOL is seeking a cost-effective method to tap this abundant and sustainable resource.

WHEYPOL: PHA Production from Surplus Whey

Whey production in Europe: 40,420.800 tons/ySurplus WHEY: 13,462.000 tons/y

Lactose: 619.250 tons /y 205.000 t PHA/y

0,00

10,00

20,00

30,00

40,00

50,00

60,00

70,00

80,00

90,00

100,00

15,518,5 24

32,25

34,25

39,5 42

56,25 58 63 80 84

87,592,5

109 h

Fermentation Time [h]

PHA Production from Hydrolyzed Whey with Precursors for 3-HV and 4-HB:

Composition of PHA [%]

3-Hydroxybutyrate

3-Hydroxyvalerate

4-Hydroxybutyrate

Direct Conversion of Glucose and

Galactose from Hydrolyzed Whey

By feeding propionic acid as a precursor PolyBy feeding propionic acid as a precursor Poly--33--HBHB--coco--33--HV HV

is synthesizedis synthesized

A High Quality Terpolyester is produced:A High Quality Terpolyester is produced:

PolyPoly--(73,05%(73,05%--33--HBHB--coco--21,81%21,81%--33--HVHV--coco--5,14%5,14%--4HB)4HB)

Mol. weight: ca. 1,5 x 10Mol. weight: ca. 1,5 x 1066 Mw/Mw/MnMn= Polydispersity index: 1,1 = Polydispersity index: 1,1 –– 1,21,2

Start Precursor Feeding

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

EU

Rp

er

kg

pro

du

ce

d P

HA

Fe

ed

sto

ck

co

st

Ma

xila

ct

20

00

HC

l, N

aO

H

sa

lts

, m

ine

rals

,

ye

as

t, c

as

ein

fre

sh

wa

ter

Ox

yg

en

Na

OH

50

%

H2

SO

4

fre

sh

wa

ter

Nit

rog

en

Re

ten

tate

En

erg

y

Fix

ed

co

sts

,

de

pre

cia

tio

n

operating parameters

24th month 30th month

• Improvement of yield

• Reduced culture time

no

enzymatic

hydrolysis

C, N-soures

Nutsol-recycle

air instead

of oxygen

Cell disruption

with process-

waterwater recycle no waste

cost

no

sterilisation

History of detailed operating costsHistory of detailed operating costs

Comparison to LiteratureComparison to Literature

2,82

5,43

3,36 4,00

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

EU

R

Wheypol production-price per kg PHA

compared with literature data

final Choi, Lee, 1997 Choi, Lee, 1999 Reddy, Ghai, ..., 2003

Future: Future: ContinuousContinuous ProductionProduction

of Coof Co-- and Terpolyestersand Terpolyesters

Production of taylor-made PHAs with properties defined by the client!

Choosing the appropriate strain, also hard-block – soft-block - PHAs can be produced

Comparison of multistage PHB production with C. necator

Reference Mode Process

Time

(h)

D 1

(h-1

)

CDM

(gL-1

)

PHB

(gL-1

)

PHB

%

QP

gL-1

h-1

qP

gg-1

h-1

Atlic et al.

2011

5-

SCR

34 0,13

9

81 63,6 77 -

85

1,85 0,100

Du et al.

2001

2-

SCR

n.r. 0,07

5

42 31 72 1,23 0,112

Nonato et

al.

2001

FBR 45 - 50 --- 120 -

150

72 -

105

65 -

70

1,44 0,032

Ryu et al.

1997

2-

SCR

73 --- 281 232 83 3,14 0,065

Kim et al.

1994

FBR 50 --- 164 121 76 2,42 0,056

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