Materials and technologies – September 2024

Breakthroughs in plastic recycling and recyclability
Two UC Berkeley studies that advance the recycling and recyclability of materials have been published in Science. In the first study (abstract), engineers developed a catalytic process that efficiently breaks down polyethylene and polypropylene plastics into reusable hydrocarbon building blocks. The developed processes can be scaled up to handle large volumes of material. In the second study (abstract), engineers introduce a new family of stabilised α-lipoic acid (αLA) polymer adhesives. These versatile adhesives, which can be manufactured from biobased sources, have applications ranging from surgical superglue to packaging labels. They can be tailored for specific uses, recycled in a closed-loop system, and are biodegradable.

The science of glugging
High school senior Rohit Velankar and his father, University of Pittsburgh professor Sachin Velankar, investigated how container elasticity influences fluid drainage. Their experiments demonstrated that flexible containers drain faster but produce larger, less frequent pressure oscillations, or ‘glugs’. The study (1.29 MB) is published in Physics of Fluids.

Advances in bioengineering for packaging
KAIST researchers have developed a technology to produce aromatic polyesters for food packaging using engineered bacteria. Their breakthrough achieves the highest concentration of microbial-based aromatic polyester production to date. The study (abstract), published in Trends in Biotechnology, demonstrates potential for large-scale industrial application.
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute are pioneering the use of fungal mycelium to create materials like packaging. The team employs agricultural residues and fungal cultures to produce these materials, which can be tailored for various applications by adjusting growth conditions. Their production method addresses challenges in scaling up and resource efficiency. A Master’s thesis (8.12 MB) from the University of Waterloo explores waterborne coatings as alternatives to plastic. Two biopolymer dispersions, PHBV with SDS and cellulose acetate with Pickering emulsion, showed enhanced barrier properties on paper.
Another Master’s thesis (2.29 MB) from the University of Manitoba examines mycelium-based bio-foam (MBF) as an alternative to expanded polystyrene (EPS) in packaging. Market analysis shows increasing demand for sustainable options and a life cycle assessment demonstrates a lower overall environmental impact despite higher transportation emissions.

VTT launches projects for sustainable industry and carbon utilisation
The "Energy First" initiative from the VTT Technical Research Centre aims to revolutionise the forestry and textile industries by developing a low-carbon, water-efficient technology. With a budget of €20 million, the project focuses on developing and testing commercially viable, sustainable alternatives for cardboard packaging and other products. The initiative is funded by the EU, among others.
VTT, LUT University, and industry partners have launched a pilot plant in Finland, to convert captured bio-based carbon dioxide into plastics and chemicals. The pilot uses renewable energy to produce polypropylene and polyethylene, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
 

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