POLYMEER - BREWERS SPENT GRAIN AS MAIN BY-PRODUCT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL, HIGH-PERFORMANCE BIO-BASED POLYMERS, POLYMER BLENDS, AND CO-POLYMERS

ID Call: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023 Development of novel, high-performance bio-based polymers and co-polymers

Sapienza's role in the project: Other beneficiary

Scientific supervisor for Sapienza: Fabrizio Sarasini

Department: Chemical engineering, materials, environment

Project start date: September 1, 2024

Project end date: August 31, 2028

Abstract:

POLYMEER's mission is to contribute to the establishment of a new bio-based value chain for bioplastic products, from sustainable sourcing to the effective exploitation of the potential of brewers' spent grains (BSG).  This entails the efficient conversion of wet BSG into versatile bioplastics tailored for three crucial applications. These applications are characterized by technical demands that existing bioplastics struggle to meet or where conventional fossil-based plastics still dominate: 1) mulch films suitable for agricultural use, 2) textile for the automotive industry, and 3) tertiary packaging films for industrial purposes, that can be recycled and/or biodegraded in specific environments. The project is a holistic endeavour aimed to achieve this goal. It involves the entire production process, starting with BSG fractionation into key biopolymers, primarily cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. These valuable components are then transformed into specific polymers and copolymers exploiting green, waste-minimised processes. Finally, through blending, formulation and processing we will create cutting-edge bioplastics suitable for the designated fields. The most promising results from our lab-scale production will undergo upscaling to demonstrate economic and technical feasibility, paving the way for market launch within 3-5 years post-project completion. Furthermore, we thoroughly evaluate these materials' properties, considering their environmental, social, and economic impacts during large-scale production. We ensure product safety and explore biodegradability potential and recycling processes throughout the production process. In essence, POLYMEER is not just about bioplastics; it's about redefining sustainability in the bioplastics industry with tailor-made solutions derived from BSG.

Sapienza will be mainly involved in the bioplastics formulation, compounding at lab-scale and characterisation for application in agriculture, packaging and textile fields.