BioMatNet Item: QLK5-2001-02431 - BIOPAL-Algae as raw material for production of bioplastics and biocomposites contributing to sustainable development of European Coastal Regions

[BioMatNet Database - FP5 Quality of Life Programme]

QLK5-2001-02431
BIOPAL-Algae as raw material for production of bioplastics and biocomposites contributing to sustainable development of European Coastal Regions

Contacts

To find similar Items, click on a keyword below:
Biological Conversion : Biopolymers/Gums : Crops for Biopolymers/Gums : Quality of Life - 5.2 Non-Food Development

Contract No:	QLK5-2001-02431
Project Type:	RS (Research and Technological Development Project)
Start Date:	01-01-2003
Duration:	36 Months
Total Cost:	3,174,485 EUR
EC Contribution:	1,763,243 EUR
Scientific Officer:

Introduction

The main objective of the BIOPAL project is to design and process a new generation of algae derived bioplastics and biocomposite targeting applications in agriculture, automotive and packaging industry as well as a biofilter systems for heavy metal accumulation including the biodegradation and bio-recycling aspects. A part of the project is dedicated for over all specification, collection, pre-treatment of algae, and the monitoring of algae proliferation as natural resource tasks. European socio-economic and environmental objectives will be mainly taken into consideration in order to create jobs and enhance rural economy of Coastal regions.

Objectives

Today, the European Community suffers from many environmental problems amongst which are algal proliferation and the elimination of the plastic waste. The objectives of this project is to contribute to a solution to these problems through four main actions:

To fight against the green algae (Zostera) plague trying to generate profit by exploitation of this biomass as raw material for production of a new generation of functional bioplastics and biocomposites for agricultural, automotive, packaging, industrial and environmental applications.
To develop and evaluate methods for assessment of bio-degradability and bio-recyclability of algae derived bioplastics and biocomposites including the development of standard test systems.
To explore and improve the industrial use of proliferating green algae with the respect to the environment.
To explore and improve new biomass pretreatment, particularly by means of steam-explosion which is considered as one of the most effective treatment for biomass.

Description of the work

The workplan will be divided into 13 workpackages:

WP1 Overall specification and organisation according to deliverables of the project
WP2 Monitoring of algae proliferation as natural resource for production of bioplastics and biocomposites
WP3 Collection of samples and pre-treatment of algae as raw material for blends with a biodegradable polymeric matrix
WP4 Steam explosion process
WP5 Blends & composites based on algal components and biodegradable polymers for agricultural applications
WP6 Preparation and evaluation of composite based on algae for automobile applications
WP7 Biodegradability packaging material/film
WP8 Bio-filter systems for (heavy)metal accumulation from aqueous solutions and streams
WP9 Evaluation of biodegradability characteristics
WP10 Development of a European standard for an evaluation scheme and acceptance criteria for biodegradable plastics in soil
WP11 Dissemination and exploitation of the results
WP12 Contribution to socio-economic objective
WP13 Project management

Milestones and expected results

A set of bioplastics and biocomposites components (biodegradableor birecyclable), derived from algae for agricultural, automotive, packaging, industrial and environmental applications, dissemination, exploitation, contribution to socio-economic objective and project management reports.

Contacts

Coordinator

Dominique BRAULT / Centre D'étude et de Valorisation des Algues FRANCE

Participant