Progress 08/01/22 to 03/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Sustainable Chemicals (Sust-Chem), LLC aims to replace large volume petrochemical plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene with a family of renewable bioplastics that can be readily degraded either chemically or biologically to recover the monomer, thus providing circularity. This research is developing a biobased process for the synthesis of our bioplastics. The product of this research is of interest to corporations that want to offer their customers products or packaging made from sustainable plastics. Additionally, environmentally conscious customers who prefer to purchase products with a lower carbon footprint and persistence may find this product appealing. Market acceptance of this new bioplastic will enhance the agriculture sector's role as a reliable supplier of raw materials to the plastic industry. The outcome of this research is also of interest to regulatory and legislative bodies that are stakeholders in regulating and limiting sources of pollution and carbon emissions. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Mr. Yaman Peksenar, Sust-Chem's Senior Chemist, was awarded the NREL-sponsored West Gate Entrepreneurship program, which provides entrepreneurial curriculum, mentorship, and support. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Sustainable Chemicals, LLC was selected as a finalist at the Sustainable Industry Challenge in Groningen, the Netherlands. Further, Dr. Luebben, Sust-Chem's Principal, will be an invited speaker at the ACS National Meeting in Denver in August 2024, as well as at the Sustainability in Pharmaceutical Packaging & Delivery conference in Philadelphia next September. Sustainable Chemicals was awarded the STEM Amber grant for our development of innovative bioplastics and also was a guest in their podcast. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During the Phase I project, we successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using a biological process for making our bioplastic. Additionally, we showed that this form of the polymer has a significantly higher melting point (220 ºC vs 110 ºC) than the material made by the chemical method, suggesting that we indeed produced a more regular form of the polymer. The polymer made by the biological process also exhibited a significantly higher Young's Modulus (a measure of mechanical rigidity) by a factor of 100 and a higher degree of crystallinity. Moreover, we developed the partnerships required to scale up this technology to mass volumes, including suppliers of biomass, manufacturers of biobased monomers and polymer processors, as well as potential end customers. In Phase II, Sust-Chem plans to scale up the isolation of the enzyme in collaboration with a contract manufacturer. We aim to optimize the polymerization conditions to increase purity and molecular weight. These improvements are expected to result in materials with higher Modulus (i.e., improved rigidity) and thermal resistance.

Publications

Progress 08/01/22 to 07/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Sustainable Chemicals (Sust-Chem), LLC aims to replace large volume petrochemical plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene with a family of renewable bioplastics that can be readily degraded either chemically or biologically to recover the monomer, thus providing circularity. This research is developping a biobased process for the synthesis of our bioplastics. The product of this research is of interest to coprorations that want to offer to their costumers products or packagings made from sustainable plastics.The product of this research is of interest is also of interest to environamentally conscious customers that prefer to purchase product with lower carbon footprint and persintency. Market acceptance of this new bioplastic will enhance the agriculture sector's role as a reliable supplier of raw materials to the plastic industry. The outcome of this research is of interest to regulatory and legislative bodies that are stakeholder in regulating and limiting sources of pollution and carbon emissions. Changes/Problems:The project is on a one-year no cost extension (NCE) to allow not only to complete the Phase I Tasks, but also to position the company successfully for the preparation of the Phase II with the support of partners in the biobased manufacturing world and the interest of private equity investors for follow on fundings. The NCE extended the period of performance of the grant from 03-31-2023 to 03-31-2024. Slippage of the originally proposed schedule is because a portion of Task 2 (synthesis of monomer) took significantly longer than expected since the originally proposed synthetic path did not lead to the desired product and we had to develop an alternative two-step route. These challenges are now fully successfully resolved. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the course of the project we have significantly grown our leadership and entrepreneurship skills, developed a pitch deck for investors and completed and launched the company website. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have launched the company website and are in the process of launchign a social media campaign. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the remainder of the Phase I project we will complete the polymerization trails, characterize the polymer properties, and complete the engineering and cost analysis.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? As of July 30st, 2023 we completed roughly 80% of the planned workplan. Task 1 (identification and isolation of biological process) has been completed. Task 2 (synthesis of monomer and polymer) is > 70% complete. Task 4 (techno-economic analysis and partnership development) is 70% completed. We are in the process of preparing polymer specimens for the testing (Task 3) which will start this month. To date we successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using a biological process for making our biopolymer in small quantities and developed the partnerships required to take this technology to mass volumes.

Publications