New Method Uses Enzymes from Laundry Detergent to Recycle Single-use Bioplastics

Scientists at King’s College London have developed an innovative solution for recycling single-use bioplastics. Single-use plastics are commonly used in disposable items such as coffee cups and food containers.

This chemical recycling method uses enzymes found in biological laundry detergents to depolymerize landfill-bound bioplastics.

84x Faster Breakdown than Conventional Approach

Within 24 hours, the process achieves full degradation of the bioplastic polylactic acid (PLA). The approach is 84 times faster than the 12-week-long industrial composting process.

The team of chemists at King’s found that in a further 24 hours at a temperature of 90°C, the bioplastics break down into their chemical building blocks.This offers a widespread recycling solution for single-use PLA. Once converted into monomers the materials can be turned into high-quality plastic for multiple reuse.

Current rates of plastic production outstrip our ability to dispose of it sustainably. According to Environmental Action, it is estimated that in 2023 alone more than 68 million tons of plastic ended up in natural environments. This is due to the imbalance between the huge volumes of plastics produced and the recycling capacity. A recent OECD report predicted that the amount of plastic waste produced worldwide is on track to almost triple by 2060, with around half ending up in landfill and less than a fifth recycled.

"Being able to harness biology to deliver sustainable solutions through chemistry, allows us to start thinking of waste as a resource so that we can move away from oil and other non-renewable sources to create the materials we need for modern life," Dr Alex Brogan, lecturer in Chemistry.

Sustainable Blueprint for Recycling Single-use Bioplastic

While bioplastics are a more sustainable choice, production costs are high. Mechanical recycling methods are inefficient, generate CO2 and do not produce high-quality materials. These ‘green’ plastics primarily end up in landfill after just one use, causing many retailers to revert back to using oil and fossil-based materials.

The speed at which the bioplastics breakdown using this new method could revolutionize plastic production. It offers an efficient, scalable and sustainable blueprint for recycling single-use bioplastics. The research opens up the opportunity for a sustainable, circular economy that stamps out the production of fossil-based plastics. It also tackles the huge volume of plastic waste that ends up in landfill and natural environments.

Dr Alex Brogan, lecturer in Chemistry at King’s College London said, “The inspiration for this project came from a problem with bioplastics used in medical and surgical products degrading in the body. We’ve turned this problem around and applied it to the issue of recycling the single-use bioplastics we use in our everyday lives using a common enzyme found in biological laundry detergent.”

"Being able to harness biology to deliver sustainable solutions through chemistry, allows us to start thinking of waste as a resource so that we can move away from oil and other non-renewable sources to create the materials we need for modern life.”

The aim is now to improve the recycling of other common plastics, like in single-use water bottles, film and sheet plastic packaging, and clothing.

"Our research marks the first step in developing new technologies in waste management for recycling bioplastics that are of equal quality to the virgin product," Susana Meza Huaman, PhD researcher on the project.

Susana Meza Huaman, PhD researcher on the project at King’s College London, said, “Our research marks the first step in developing new technologies in waste management for recycling bioplastics that are of equal quality to the virgin product. Until now this has been a major challenge in plastics recycling, as while bioplastics are made of biological materials, they are not all compostable and most current recycling methods are inefficient.”

"Our chemical approach significantly speeds up the degradation of bioplastics, enabling them to be recycled and reused.”

Source: King's College London/omnexus.specialchem

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share: BISMALEIMIDE RESIN (BMI)

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

BISMALEIMIDE RESIN (BMI):

Bismaleimides monomers are synthesized from maleic anhydride and an aromatic diamine and then, the resulting bismaleamic acid is cyclo-dehydrated to a bismaleimide resin.BMI resins are a type of high-performance thermosetting polymer that possesses exceptional mechanical and thermal properties. These resins are characterized by their high heat resistance, flame resistance, and dimensional stability, that are suitable for a wide range of applications mainly withstanding extreme conditions.

BMI is easy processing by autoclave, platen press, and compression molding techniques,

excellent mechanical properties up to 250 °C,

good solvent resistance,

excellent performance in hot and wet conditions

superior flame and radiation resistance,

low smoke and toxicant emissions.

Processing techniques include prepregging resin transfer molding (RTM), filament winding,compression molding, powder coating and pultrusion.

The drawback of the BMI resins is Fracture toughness.This hampers its use in aerospace applications.To improve the toughness,a flexible monohydric aliphatic amine (MAA) can be added with neat BMI resins to increase the toughness of the resin.The morphology of MAA modified BMI observed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Various formulations tried in a few research projects over the decades,at 1% MAA adding in the formulation,the elongation at break MAA-modified BMI increased by 32.3 % when compared with neat BMI.The same way flexural strength of MAA modified BMI showed increasing 30%.This results showed increase usage in aerospace applications in the recent years.

There is a couple of research that have been taking place in adding inorganic fillers such as Nano Sio2,Carbon Nano Tube (CNT) and Graphene with the modification of BMI resin system with Carbon fiber,Kevlar,Basalt and Glass fiber.The results are breathtaking and leads to lot new more research to improve the toughening properties of BMI composite laminates.

Another research that impressed me was producing bismaleimide from renewable carbon content through multi functional phosphate(TAMPP) from clove oil.

A multi-functional phosphate (TAMPP) was synthesized from renewable eugenol through aqueous-phase synthesis, of which the renewable carbon content is as high as 100%. TAMPP was used to partly or totally replace petroleum-based 2,2′-diallylbisphenol A (DBA) for modifying 4,4′-bismaleimidodiphenylmethane (BDM), and then four bismaleimide (BMI) resins (BDTP or BTP) were developed. Compared with traditional DBA modified BDM resin (BD), BTP has better integrated properties including a higher renewable carbon content (45.0%), an approximately 70 °C higher glass transition temperature (Tg > 380 °C), excellent flame retardancy and good mechanical properties. 

Some of the leading key players are Huntsman,Evonik,Renegade Materials,Solvay, Qinyang Tianyi Chemical,Hos-Technik,Honghu Shuangma Advanced Materials,Hexcel etc.

Source:Acs publications/evonik

INEOS’ Bio-based HDPE Used to Create Gas Pipeline

INEOS produced bio-based high-density polyethylene (HDPE) has been used to create the world’s first fully sustainable gas pipeline. Installed by French gas utility network operator, GRDF, the pipeline only uses the low carbon footprint polymer.

Made from Wood Processing Residues from Paper Industry:

The new pipeline is in Clermont Auvergne Métropole, France. It is part of a GRDF program to “green” pipelines in parts of the region. The goal is to reduce their carbon footprint. One kilometer of pipeline will be laid across three sites in the metro area gas network.

The pipeline uses bio-based, certified HDPE supplied by INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe. It’s made from wood processing residues from the paper industry, which are transformed into tall oil, a bio-naphtha. INEOS Cologne turns the tall oil into bio-ethylene. It is transported to INEOS’ polymer plant in Lillo, Belgium. There it makes the bio-based HDPE.

The result is a polymer with a much lower carbon footprint than conventional, fossil-based polymers. It is recognized by ISCC, an independent, third-party organization. It has certified that producing the pipes met ISCC Plus standards. This was by replacing fossil fuel-derived feedstocks.

Potential to Repeat Innovation for Other Gas and Water Pipelines:

Importantly, the bio-polymer has the same technical characteristics as conventional polymers. This enables partners like GRDF to meet high safety standards. At the same time, it reduces the environmental impact of networks operated for local authorities. It also creates potential to repeat the innovation for other gas and water pipelines.

All polymers offered by INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe are also 100% recyclable, alongside the lower carbon footprint associated with the bio-based HDPE.

Rob Ingram, INEOS Olefins & Polymers North CEO, said, "Our congratulations to GRDF for this world first. At INEOS, we’re very proud to play a part in this game-changing innovation. Alongside the work we are doing to drive down emissions and reduce plastic waste in the polyolefins industry, it’s another example of our commitment to working with partners to develop efficient, lower emission solutions for transporting important utilities and goods around Europe’s cities."

Source:Ineos/omnexus.specialchem

Specialty Chemicals Market Report

 Specialty Chemicals Market:

I have completed an assignment on the Specialty chemicals market, demand and forecast when comparing with the existing grades for Chinese market for a well-reputed market research company and shared my insights on Specialty chemicals mainly antioxidants and other additives market in chinese region..And also share inputs on existing trends,pricing,new entrants strategy,new applications segment, capacity and comparison over other competitors in the global market.

I have covered an overview of the landscape of the Chinese market, key players of dominance with their established grades in various applications in the Chinese market.

#specialtychemicals #marketresearch #china #pricingstrategy #anitoxidants

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Actual shortshots

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

So, let's say you "do" Flow Analysis and want to compare it to actual shortshots...

Most people would look at "isochrone" lines, a representation of flow front position vs. time, as "shortshots". But have you ever thought about what really happens when you experimentally produce a shortshot ? You essentially partly fill the cavity and just...stop there, with no packing. Sure..

But when you stop, you might have 1000 bars at the gate, so depending on how you exactly control your screw, your flow front will keep moving due to the expansion flow, producing a shortshot possibly very different from the transient front position at the very moment you stopped. This expansion flow is not velocity controlled and may produce a very strange end of flow, possibly showing fake weldlines, when thickness distribution is complex. So simulation doesn't show a weldline where, possibly, experiment does. The key to correctly simulating a shortshot is to switch over to pack with zero pressure for a few seconds letting the computation go on and include the expansion flow. Note that that weldline you found may only exist in the shortshot but not in the full part ! Just make sure you don't look at your filling isochrone lines as precise shortshots, because they are NOT !

source:Vito leo

Researchers Develop Bacteria that Upcycles Plastic Waste into Biodegradable Spider Silk

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a strain of bacteria that can turn plastic waste into a biodegradable spider silk with multiple uses.

Their new study marks the first time scientists have used bacteria to transform polyethylene plastic — the kind used in many single-use items — into a high-value protein product.

That product, which the researchers call “bio-inspired spider silk” because of its similarity to the silk spiders use to spin their webs, has applications in textiles, cosmetics, and even medicine.

Engineering Bacteria to Convert Carbon Atoms of PE into a Silk Protein

“Spider silk is nature’s Kevlar,” said Helen Zha, Ph.D., an assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering and one of the RPI researchers leading the project. “It can be nearly as strong as steel under tension. However, it’s six times less dense than steel, so it’s very lightweight. As a bioplastic, it’s stretchy, tough, nontoxic, and biodegradable.”

All those attributes make it a great material for a future where renewable resources and avoidance of persistent plastic pollution are the norm, Zha said.

Polyethylene plastic, found in products such as plastic bags, water bottles, and food packaging, is the biggest contributor to plastic pollution globally and can take upward of 1,000 years to degrade naturally. Only a small portion of polyethylene plastic is recycled, so the bacteria used in the study could help “upcycle” some of the remaining waste.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the bacteria used in the study, can naturally consume polyethylene as a food source. The RPI team tackled the challenge of engineering this bacteria to convert the carbon atoms of polyethylene into a genetically encoded silk protein. Surprisingly, they found that their newly developed bacteria could make the silk protein at a yield rivaling some bacteria strains that are more conventionally used in biomanufacturing.

Predigested Plastic to Help in Fermentation

The underlying biological process behind this innovation is something people have employed for millennia.

“Essentially, the bacteria are fermenting the plastic. Fermentation is used to make and preserve all sorts of foods, like cheese, bread, and wine, and in biochemical industries it’s used to make antibiotics, amino acids, and organic acids,” said Mattheos Koffas, Ph.D., Dorothy and Fred Chau ʼ71 Career Development Constellation professor in Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering, and the other researcher leading the project, and who, along with Zha, is a member of the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies at Rensselaer.

To get bacteria to ferment polyethylene, the plastic is first “predigested,” Zha said. Just like humans need to cut and chew our food into smaller pieces before our bodies can use it, the bacteria has difficulty eating the long molecule chains, or polymers, that comprise polyethylene.

In the study, Zha and Koffas collaborated with researchers at Argonne National Laboratory, who depolymerized the plastic by heating it under pressure, producing a soft, waxy substance. Next, the team put a layer of the plastic-derived wax on the bottoms of flasks, which served as the nutrient source for the bacteria culture. This contrasts with typical fermentation, which uses sugars as the nutrient source.

“It’s as if, instead of feeding the bacteria cake, we’re feeding it the candles on the cake,” Zha said.

Then, as a warming plate gently swirled the flasks’ contents, the bacteria went to work. After 72 hours, the scientists strained out the bacteria from the liquid culture, purified the silk protein, and freeze dried it. At that stage, the protein, which resembled torn up cotton balls, could potentially be spun into thread or made into other useful forms.

“What’s really exciting about this process is that, unlike the way plastics are produced today, our process is low energy and doesn’t require the use of toxic chemicals,” Zha said. “The best chemists in the world could not convert polyethylene into spider silk, but these bacteria can. We’re really harnessing what nature has developed to do manufacturing for us.”

However, before upcycled spider silk products become a reality, the researchers will first need to find ways to make the silk protein more efficiently.

“This study establishes that we can use these bacteria to convert plastic to spider silk. Our future work will investigate whether tweaking the bacteria or other aspects of the process will allow us to scale up production,” Koffas said.

“Professors Zha and Koffas represent the new generation of chemical and biological engineers merging biological engineering with materials science to manufacture ecofriendly products. Their work is a novel approach to protecting the environment and reducing our reliance on nonrenewable resources,” said Shekhar Garde, Ph.D., dean of RPI’s School of Engineering.

The study, which was conducted by first author Alexander Connor, who earned his doctorate from RPI in 2023, and co-authors Jessica Lamb and Massimiliano Delferro with Argonne National Laboratory, is published in the journal “Microbial Cell Factories.”

Source: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute/omnexus.specialchem

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Plastics in Medical Applications

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

High-Performance Polymers for Medical Devices

High-performance polymers have gained significant attention in the field of medical devices due to their unique properties and advantages.Here are some reasons why high-performance polymers are a great alternative for medical devices:

Biocompatibility: High-performance polymers, such as PEEK, FEP, PFA, and PPSU, are inherently biocompatible. They do not trigger adverse immune responses or toxicity when in contact with biological tissues, making them suitable for implants and other medical devices that interact with the human body.

Lightweight: Polymers are generally lighter than metals, making them ideal for applications where weight reduction is critical, such as orthopedic implants and prosthetics. Lighter devices can improve patient comfort and reduce the risk of complications.

Corrosion Resistance: High-performance polymers are highly resistant to corrosion and chemical degradation. This property is advantageous in medical devices that come into contact with bodily fluids and other aggressive environments. Unlike metals, they do not rust or corrode.

Radiolucency: Some polymers, like PEEK, are radiolucent, meaning they do not block X-rays or other imaging techniques. This feature allows for clear and accurate imaging of the surrounding tissue and device placement without interference.

Customizability: Polymers can be easily molded and machined into complex shapes, which is crucial for designing patient-specific implants and devices. This customizability can improve the fit and function of medical devices.

Low Friction and Wear Resistance: Polymers can offer low friction and wear characteristics, making them suitable for articulating joints and moving parts in medical devices. This reduces the risk of device failure and the need for frequent replacements.

Electrical Insulation: High-performance polymers are electrical insulators, which is essential in devices like pacemakers and neurostimulators to prevent unwanted electrical interference with surrounding tissues.

Thermal Stability: Many high-performance polymers exhibit excellent thermal stability, allowing them to withstand sterilization processes such as autoclaving without degradation.

Cost-Effective: Compared to some specialty metals and ceramics, high-performance polymers can be more cost-effective, making medical devices more affordable for healthcare providers and patients.

Regulatory Approval: Several high-performance polymers have received regulatory approval for use in medical devices, indicating their safety and suitability for these applications.

Despite their numerous advantages, high-performance polymers also have limitations, including lower strength and stiffness compared to some metals and ceramics. Therefore, their selection for specific medical device applications should consider the specific requirements and constraints of the device.

Source:www.performanceplastics.com