BBI2019.SO2.R3 – Apply microorganisms and/or enzymes to resolve end-of-life issues of plastics
Background
This is a topic in the 2019 work programme of the Biomass Based Industries Joint Undertaking which was launched in April 2019. The deadline for submitting proposals to this call is September 4th 2019, with the results expected by the end of the year and projects expected to start in 2020.Celignis is an SME that was spun-out from an EU research project (the FP7 advanced biofuels project DIBANET) that was written and coordinated by Celignis's founder Daniel Hayes. It has now been five years since the end of that project and over that time Celignis has grown in size and reputation and now occupies a valuable niche as being the premier analytical provider to clients in the biomass sector. We provide a wide range of compositional analysis services and bioprocessing expertise to a diverse array of customers (including SMEs, multinationals, and universities) looking to utilise biomass feedstocks, residues and wastes for the production of biobased products, biofuels, and energy.
But we have not lost sight of the importance of science and in advancing the start of the art. We were born from pioneering research and we are still passionately committed to playing our part in advancing the bioeconomy. As a result we continue to be highly active in European research projects and are particularly excited by the calls presented in the 2019 BBI work programme.
Celignis is a partner in 2 ongoing BBI projects, BIOrescue and UNRAVEL. These are RIA (Research and Innovation Action) projects. Click here to read more about our involvements in these BBI projects. Celignis is also a partner in an Innovation Action (i.e. Demonstration scale) BBI project that is currently in the Grant Agreement stage and is expected to start in September 2019. In addition to these BBI projects, Celignis is also a partner in the Horizon 2020 Coordinating and Supporting Action project ENABLING. As we are a spin-out company from an EU research project we are well-versed in the preparation of proposals and in the implementation of projects.
Below we present a summary of this topic and indicate how Celignis could be a valuable project partner. Click here to see more details on our relevant expertise as well as summaries of how we can contribute to the other topics in the 2019 BBI work programme.
Contributions Celignis can Make to BBI2019.SO2.R3
- Biodegradability trials - Celignis personnel can undertake a range of analysis methods to investigate biodegradability using the enzymes/microorganisms developed in the project. These tests can follow OECD guidelines (e.g. OECD301, 302, 306, 310 or equivalent methods) and determine both ready and inherent biodegradability.
Specific Challenge of BBI2019.SO2.R3
Microorganisms and/or enzymes can be applied to biodegrade/decompose plastic waste, one of the major threats to our ecosystem. This is a key focus area to apply the concept of the circular economy, besides changing human behaviour and production systems. The plastics industry is increasingly applying eco-design principles when producing plastics, ensuring an appropriate end of life by recycling, degrading or composting. Where these principles cannot be applied (any more), industry needs to establish different systems to close the circle of plastic material in the end-of-life phase. This will avoid plastic littering land and sea and reduce plastic waste diverted to landfill or incineration. Scientists have recently found that some microbes (bacteria and fungi) have evolved the ability to break down plastics. Other scientists have discovered plastic-eating bacteria that can break down PET.Applying microorganisms and/or enzymes in the end-of-life phase of plastics could result in new feedstock for the bio-based industry. They may even be applied to all sorts of residual streams without any preliminary separation or sorting operations.
The specific challenge is to exploit the potential of microorganisms and/or enzymes to resolve end-of-life issues with plastics.
Scope of BBI2019.SO2.R3
Select and apply the appropriate microorganisms and/or enzymes to address one or both of the following issues:- convert waste streams containing non-biodegradable polymers;
- remove non-biodegradable polymers from the environment.
Proposals should address all requirements for RIA as shown in Table 3 in the Introduction. The technology readiness level (TRL) at the end of the project should be 4-5 for the bio-based value chain in question. Proposals should clearly state the starting and end TRLs of the key technology or technologies targeted in the project.
Industry participation in the project would be considered as an added value because it can play a supportive role to demonstrate the potential for integrating the developed concepts and technologies into current industrial landscapes or existing plants so they can be deployed more quickly and scaled up to apply industry-wide.