Zero Emissions Process for Truly Biodegradable Plastics Developed

Dateline: Madrid, Spain (SPX) Jan 30, 2025
Plastic pollution is a pervasive problem, with petrol-based plastics found in various everyday products, from packaging to clothing. These plastics, once discarded, break down into microplastics that pose severe threats to both ecosystems and human health. Biodegradable plastics offer a potential solution, yet their production is minimal in comparison to the overwhelming quantities of petrol-based plastics. In 2022, biodegradable plastics accounted for just 1.3 million tons, while over 400 million tons of conventional plastics were produced.

Despite their promise, many biodegradable plastics fail to degrade efficiently in diverse environments like soil, rivers, and oceans. This challenge has spurred efforts to develop alternatives that are not only biodegradable but also produced sustainably.

In response, researchers from the Horizon 2020 project PROMICON have unveiled an innovative process that produces polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a fully biodegradable bioplastic, using photosynthetic microorganisms known as cyanobacteria. Unlike conventional PHA production, which is energy-intensive and heavily dependent on organic raw materials and clean water, the new process employs sunlight, absorbs CO2, and uses minimal organic resources, offering a much more sustainable and scalable solution.

"This approach creates a truly biodegradable plastic that leaves no microplastic residues, aligning with the EU's goal for a circular, sustainable economy," the authors of PROMICON's policy brief explain.

Currently, the industrial production of PHA requires substantial energy and resources, which contradicts the goal of achieving zero emissions and carbon neutrality. However, the new method proposed by researchers at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia could significantly reduce energy consumption and environmental impact, paving the way for an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics.

Research Report:Find out more about this new method for PHA production here.