Researchers from Purdue University and industry partners have received a $7 million grant from the US National Science Foundation to develop biodegradable plastics. The goal is to create sturdy and reusable bioplastics from domestic raw materials, such as corn, sugar, or agricultural waste. Currently, only 10% of plastics are recycled, and nearly 99% are made from petrochemicals derived from oil or gas. The new bioplastics, called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), would be infinitely recyclable and have similar strength to conventional plastics. The three-year project aims to improve the strength and thermal stability of PHAs, making them suitable for consumer goods, medical devices, and packaging. The team will use enzymes to speed up chemical reactions and develop algorithms to select and engineer these enzymes. The project also includes training opportunities for students and open-source access to tools and workflows, with potential applications beyond bioplastics, such as pharmaceuticals and biomaterials.
Researchers develop enzymes to convert agricultural products into reusable biodegradable plastics.
