European BioICEP Project transforms synthetic plastics into biodegradable bioplastics.

They have been using microwave-assisted thermochemical degradation, which can convert fossil-based plastic waste into natural, biodegradable alternatives and accelerates the biodegradation of conventional plastics. These are meant to degrade is less than 28 days.

This is part of AIMPLAS’ involvement in the Bio Innovation of a Circular Economy for Plastics or BioICEP project. This is funded by the Horizon 2020 programme, who aim to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable replacements for petroleum-based plastics.

BioICEIP’s solution to reducing plastic is a three-step consecutive process. This involves chemical disintegration processes that reduce the molecular weight of base polymers to improve biodegradation; biocatalytic digestion with improved enzymes through screening with fluorescent sensors and direct evolution; and microbial consortia developed from single microbial strains.

The end product will be used in the production of new polymers and bioproducts, therefore completing a circular economy for plastic waste.