Sustainable production of bioplastic with the help of microalgae

This project is financed by the Kempe foundations.

Research question

We analyse and develop a circular, sustainable and economically feasible production of biodegradable plastic on pilot scale. Grown in wastewater and flue gases photosynthetic microalgae will produce biomass/carbohydrates, which then will be used as an inexpensive, renewable feedstock for bacteria. These bacteria naturally produce PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), a bio-based and biodegradable plastic. The PHA will be used to produce prototypes of biodegradable household furnishing of high quality.

Sustainability aspects

Microalgae grown in wastewater will clean the water and convert CO2 of flue gases into carbohydrates. These carbohydrates will be converted to PHA by bacteria in a CCU process. In this circular, resource-effective material flow we therefore will clean polluted water, counteract global warming by carbon sequestration, and produce sustainable low-cost bioplastic.