Fermentation and strain development for the manufacturing of novel, high-performance, compostable and recyclable hetero-aromatic bioplastic monomers for the packaging industry (BioMonoMet)

An estimated 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste has been generated globally since the 1950s (Science, 2017) of which approximately 80% remains in landfill or loose in the environment. Global greenhouse gas emissions from the production and disposal of plastics is more than double that of air travel (Nature Climate Change, 2019).
In line with current demand, oil-based plastics are produced at a rate of ~350mtpa. While useful, they have been developed focusing on function than end-of-life performance and their environmental impact.
Recycling alone is not the complete answer to the “plastics problem”. These include cost, food contamination, polymer degradation and environmental leakage. Bio-based and biodegradable plastics are an important part of the solution.
This project will unlock the UK based production of novel platform biomonomers and work towards increasing productivities required for the scale-up of novel bioplastics from Biome’s current research in partnership with existing commercial customers.
The main work packages of this project will focus on scaling up production of these monomers, through strain engineering and fermentation optimisation, to yield techno economically feasible titres for viable commercial bioplastics production at scale.
The project’s outcome will work towards unlocking the commercial deployment of a new range of sustainable and biodegradable materials that can contribute to the UK’s goal of 70% of plastics packaging effectively recycled or composted by 2025. Reducing in real terms the environmental burden of plastics whilst increasing productivity and growth for the wider UK (bio)economy.