Scientists and technologists put spotlight on converting waste into bioplastics

In Spain, scientists and technologists from 8 countries have kicked off a new EU-funded project that explores the conversion of different complex waste streams to valuable products such as bioplastics. SYNPOL1 has secured almost EUR 7.5 million in funding under the Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology theme of the European Union Seventh Framework Programme. Led by the Spanish Biological Research Centre, the consortium are working together to produce PHA for bioplastics from different waste streams, such as municipal solid waste, agricultural residues, sewage sludge from water treatment plants, using pyrolytic syngas production and subsequent bacterial fermentation.