| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/M028550/1 |
| Title: |
Bioplastic polymers based on aromatic dicarboxylic acids derived from lignin |
| Principal Investigator: |
Bugg, Professor TDH |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Warwick |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research - NR1 |
| Starts: |
01 April 2015 |
Ends: |
30 June 2018 |
Value (£): |
342,152
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Biomaterials |
Bioprocess Engineering |
| Design of Process systems |
Manufacturing Machine & Plant |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Manufacturing |
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
Aromatic chemicals are crucial in bioplastics to convey functionality, including strength and flexibility. Currently, these
aromatic chemicals can only be sourced from fossil based inputs, limiting applications, increasing the cost and
environmental impact. Lignin, the 2nd most abundant organic polymer in plants, is one of the few potential natural sources
of aromatic chemicals. Building on a successful feasibility study that proved that the aromatic diacids inherent within lignin
could be extracted and substituted in polyester based plastics, this project aims to demonstrate that these metabolites can
be produced in a commercially viable manner by the innovative use of modified bacteria to selectively control lignin
disintegration when matched with novel chemical processes in scalable batch/continuous reactors. Larger trials will convert
the resultant kg quantities of diacids into novel block copolyesters, for evaluation in a high value global bioplastics market
of value >£150m.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.warwick.ac.uk |