Valorisation of waste/byproduct plant biomass to produce circular biodegradable materials including single use packaging

废物/副产品植物生物质的增值，以生产循环可生物降解材料，包括一次性包装

• 批准号: 10066253
• 金额: $ 8.43万
• 依托单位: XAMPLA LTD
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Feasibility Studies
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2023 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=10066253
• 关键词: Valorisation; waste; byproduct; plant; biomass

In 2021, 390 million tonnes of plastic were produced worldwide, of this 44% is used for packaging. Plastic packaging pollutes throughout its lifecycle, by breaking down and releasing microplastics into the environment. Under half of disposed plastic is recycled in the UK, with large amounts ending up in landfill. For single-use plastics with readily available alternatives (e.g., disposable polystyrene cups/lids, cutlery, plates, straws), plastics bans have already been introduced in the UK and the EU. Despite strong public support for more stringent bans on single-use plastic packaging, the lack of high performing and scalable replacements which biodegrade safely within the environment hinders the introduction of wider bans.Inspired by nature, Xampla has developed a next-generation bio-based and biodegradable material produced from a range of plant proteins (food grade and from otherwise waste byproducts). By harnessing the natural ability of plant proteins to self-assemble, we have created a new class of structured protein materials with remarkable functional properties. Our plant protein resin acts as a drop-in replacement for synthetic polymers in current single-use packaging manufacturing processes.Our protein resin can be used to produce a range of materials with highly controlled properties, including films and coatings for packaging applications. To date, we have targeted high value low volume film applications, such as edible and soluble packaging. However, for us to reach volume, scale and access lower value, higher volume applications we need to further develop our resin production process from lower cost and more sustainable waste byproduct proteins.With Innovate UK support, we will develop an efficient protein extraction process to valorise otherwise waste/byproduct plant biomass supplied by THG Labs - a leading product development and manufacturing partner for global beauty brands. The materials made by this new process will be assessed by Elemis - a global British beauty and skincare brand - as a replacement for synthetic polymers in packaging of their cosmetic products. Utilising plant proteins sources from waste/byproduct biomass will reduce price point of our material and bring additional sustainability benefits. The project outputs will support the UK's ambition to become a world leader in sustainable packaging, addressing global plastic pollution and the climate crises.

2021年，全球生产了3.9亿吨塑料，其中44%用于包装。塑料包装在其整个生命周期中都会产生污染，分解微塑料并将其释放到环境中。在英国，不到一半的废弃塑料被回收，其中大量最终被填埋。对于具有现成替代品的一次性塑料（例如一次性聚苯乙烯杯/盖、餐具、盘子、吸管），英国和欧盟已实施塑料禁令。尽管公众强烈支持对一次性塑料包装实施更严格的禁令，但由于缺乏在环境中安全生物降解的高性能和可扩展的替代品，阻碍了更广泛禁令的实施。受到大自然的启发，Xampla 开发了下一代生物基塑料包装以及由一系列植物蛋白（食品级和其他废物副产品）生产的可生物降解材料。通过利用植物蛋白的自然自组装能力，我们创造了一种具有卓越功能特性的新型结构蛋白材料。我们的植物蛋白树脂可作为当前一次性包装制造工艺中合成聚合物的直接替代品。我们的蛋白树脂可用于生产一系列具有高度受控性能的材料，包括用于包装应用的薄膜和涂层。迄今为止，我们的目标是高价值小批量薄膜应用，例如可食用和可溶性包装。然而，为了达到产量、规模和获得更低价值、更高产量的应用，我们需要进一步开发我们的树脂生产工艺，利用更低成本和更可持续的废弃副产品蛋白质。在创新英国的支持下，我们将开发一种高效的蛋白质提取工艺，以价值化由 THG Labs（全球美容品牌领先的产品开发和制造合作伙伴）提供的其他废物/副产品植物生物质。由这一新工艺制成的材料将由英国全球美容和护肤品牌 Elemis 进行评估，作为其化妆品包装中合成聚合物的替代品。利用废物/副产品生物质中的植物蛋白来源将降低我们材料的价格并带来额外的可持续性效益。该项目的成果将支持英国成为可持续包装领域世界领导者的雄心，解决全球塑料污染和气候危机。