BOKU University
About
BOKU, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna comprises six departments and four service centres in Vienna as well as a number of experimental centres around Vienna. The research activities at the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology headed by Prof. G. Guebitz primarily focus, amongst other topics, on the exploitation of the microbial metabolism to safeguard the quality of life and preserve natural resources.
In addition to the investigation of microbial processes, enzymes are exploited as powerful biocatalysts for (bio)material processing and in recycling applications. There is also a strong background in the research of (bio)polymer processing and characterization.
The team participating in the project has, on one side, extensive mechanistic knowledge related to screening, (genetic) improvement, and industrial application of polymer active enzymes. On the other side, there is vast experience in the formulation, modification, processing, upscaling, recycling, and characterization of (bio)polymer materials.
With over 350 scientific publications and 10 patents on enzymatic functionalization as well as processing and recycling of (bio-)polymers the group is one of the world-wide leading labs in this area.
Role in Upcycle
Within WP2, BOKU will focus on new ways to reuse building blocks from PBAT-starch-compounds after enzymatic depolymerization. First, starch will be broken down into glucose with natural enzymes, which can then be used by project partners to produce valuable chemicals.
The polyester (PBAT) fraction will be tackled using a special type of enzyme that BOKU already has in its repertoire. This process allows recovery of TPA, an important precursor for polymer synthesis. TPA will be shared with other project teams, for various purposes in the making of new types of bioplastics. It will also be utilized directly at BOKU for synthesis of polymer additives (WP3).
In WP3, BOKU’s focus is on the investigation and upscaling of (biobased/biodegradable) plasticizers. Two approaches will be followed: (i) external and (i) internal plasticization. (i) Compounds/products and derivatives obtained from/within WP2 will be screened for their applicability as plasticizers/precursors for the biopolyesters focused on in Upcycle and best candidates eventually upscaled. (ii) Monomers from WP2 will be evaluated for their utility in copolymers facilitating internal plasticization.
In WP7, BOKU will set up a quick and efficient system to predict the break down of various plastics based on studying their decomposition processes. The team will identify and collect the most relevant enzymes for real-life conditions, such as industrial composting and outdoor (marine/soil environments). This information will help guiding the choice of materials for the next steps in the project and allows for selecting the best options prior to moving on to larger-scale testing and technology transfer.