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FAIR-CT96-1912
Biodegradable polyesters from 1,3-propanediol and succinate produced by fermentation of regrowing resources
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Contacts
Further Information
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Biological Conversion
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Biopolymers/Gums
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FAIR Area 1.2 - Green Chemicals and Polymers Chain
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Paints/Coatings/Plastics
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Sugar
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Type of Project |
Shared Cost |
| Contract No |
FAIR-CT96-1912 |
| Total Cost |
1,279,098 ECU |
| EC Contribution |
1,179,098 ECU |
| Start Date |
01/12/96 |
| Duration |
36 Months |
Biodegradable polyesters from 1,3-propanediol and succinate
produced by fermentation of regrowing resources
Objectives
Technical Approach
The overall goal of the present project is the synthesis of biodegradable polyesters from two main
monomers, 1,3-propanediol and succinate (produced by fermentation from renewable sources) and
from other dicarboxylic acids (like terephtalic acid) used as auxiliary monomers to modified the chemical
and physical properties of the polyester. The main advantage of this approach compared to
polyhydroxyalkanoates or polylactides (two biodegradable polyesters that can be produced from
renewable sources) is the possibility that the physical properties of the polyester can be easily modified
to meet the manufacturing specifications for the final article made from the plastic.
Expected Results
- Production of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol obtained from the oleochemical industry (fatty acids,
fatty alcohols) and rapeseed oil production. Development of genetically modified microorganisms for
maximal yield of 1,3-propanediol production and evaluation of their performances in fermenter up to
m3 and also in high volumetric productivity membrane bioreactors.
- Production of succinic acid from starch hydrolysates using Anaerobiospirillum
succiniproducens in high performance bioreactor (membrane bioreactors with optimised ratio of cell
bleeding and effluent flow rates and in situ product recovery by electrodialysis), to increase the
productivity and decrease the waste water treatment requirements of the process.
- Development of polyesters based on 1,3-propanediol and succinic acid from renewable
resources optimised regarding processability and thermo-mechanical properties by using improved
polymerisation-copolymerisation methods and blending, followed by manufacture of product prototypes
using the optimised polymers, copolymers and blends. The methods considered for improving the
properties of the polymers include: the use of additional monomers (higher aliphatic and aromatic acids);
use of chain elongators (bisoxiranes) and isocyanates); and variation from polycondensation mechanisms
to ring-opening polymerisation (method which offers the possibility of synthesising typical
polycondensation polymers with higher molecular weights, and which presents a very broad spectrum of
possibilities for the synthesis of aliphatic polyesters).
- Biodegradation studies using various test systems including C-balances, isolation and
characterisation of degradative microbial consortia and involved enzymes systems (lipases, hydrolases).
Results To Date
The main achievements of the first reporting period were:
- The fermentation of low grade glycerol by Clostridium butyricum.
- The high yield of 1,3 propanediol obtained in fed-batch cultures of C. butyricum.
- The isolation and sequencing of the genes for butyrate formation in C. butyricum.
They will now be used for gene knockout or gene replacement experiments in order to obtain butyrate
negative strains that convert glycerol to 1,3 propanediol in higher yield.
- The first developments of a continuous process for succinic acid production at a high volumetric
productivity (15 times higher than conventional processes).
- The discovery of PEU58, a polyester-based urethane that has better processing properties than
BTA44/56 (a biodegradable polyester commercially produced by BASF and Eastman).
- The development of four different tests for the biodegradability of polyesters.
Contacts
Coordinator
EC Scientific Officer
Participant
