BoostLab1-6: Bio-CO2-Polymer - development of a multi-enzymatic mediated CO2 conversion to DHA-based polymers
Project duration
September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2025
Project partners
RWTH Aachen, ABBt (Chair of Biotechnology)
Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, Synthesis and Polymer Technology
Hochschule Hannover, IfBB (Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites)
Project description
The project “Bio-CO2 polymers” aims at the synthesis of dihydroxyacetone-based polymers from the base molecule CO2 by developing a biocatalytic process cascade.
The development of novel and sustainable polymers coincides with the objectives of the development plan for the Rhenish mining area, especially with the future field "resource and agribusiness" of the economic and structural program of the Rheinisches Revier, which focuses on the sustainable and resource-conserving production of chemical and plastic products based on natural resources. On the other hand, there are close links with the industry available in this region, on the one hand as suppliers of raw materials, CO2 from waste gases from various branches of industry, and on the other hand for the further development of the value chain of the new polymers to be developed.
In particular, Covestro, which is located on the edge of the Rheinisches Revier, is already considered a pioneer in the development and use of CO2-based polymers, especially polyurethanes. Depending on the property profile of the new polymers, application fields could also be developed, for example as functional polymers such as adhesives, auxiliary materials or coatings for materials, paper, composite materials or even pharmaceuticals or agricultural chemicals and seeds; for all these areas, there are already manufacturing companies in the Rheinisches Revier with which a value chain can be established.
In the "Bio-CO2 polymers" project, CO2 can be biocatalytically converted to dihydroxyacetone-based polymers by establishing an enzyme cascade. The established process can contribute to the resource turnaround and local circular bioeconomy in a good context with the existing industry in the Rhineland area.
Open positions
Currently none