Valorisation of waste/byproduct plant biomass to produce circular biodegradable materials including single use packaging

2021年，全球生产了3.9亿吨塑料，其中44%用于包装。塑料包装在其整个生命周期中都会造成污染，因为它会分解并将微塑料释放到环境中。在英国，不到一半的废弃塑料被回收利用，其中大量最终被填埋。对于有现成替代品的一次性塑料（如一次性聚苯乙烯杯/盖、餐具、盘子、吸管），英国和欧盟已经出台了塑料禁令。尽管公众强烈支持更严格地禁止一次性塑料包装，但由于缺乏在环境中安全生物降解的高性能和可扩展的替代品，阻碍了更广泛的禁令的实施。受大自然的启发，Xampla开发了一种由一系列植物蛋白（食品级和其他废物副产品）生产的下一代生物基和可生物降解材料。通过利用植物蛋白的自然自组装能力，我们创造了一类具有显著功能特性的新型结构蛋白材料。我们的植物蛋白树脂在目前的一次性包装制造工艺中可替代合成聚合物。我们的蛋白质树脂可用于生产一系列具有高度控制性能的材料，包括用于包装应用的薄膜和涂料。到目前为止，我们的目标是高价值的小体积薄膜应用，如可食用和可溶性包装。然而，为了达到批量，规模和获得低价值，大批量应用，我们需要进一步开发树脂生产工艺，从低成本和更可持续的废弃副产品蛋白质。在Innovate UK的支持下，我们将开发一种高效的蛋白质提取工艺，以评估由THG实验室（全球美容品牌的领先产品开发和制造合作伙伴）提供的其他废物/副产品植物生物质。由这种新工艺制成的材料将由英国全球美容护肤品牌Elemis进行评估，作为其化妆品包装中合成聚合物的替代品。利用来自废物/副产品生物质的植物蛋白将降低我们材料的价格点，并带来额外的可持续性效益。该项目的产出将支持英国成为可持续包装领域世界领导者的雄心，解决全球塑料污染和气候危机。

In 2021, 390 million tonnes of plastic were produced worldwide, of this 44% is used for packaging. Plastic packaging pollutes throughout its lifecycle, by breaking down and releasing microplastics into the environment. Under half of disposed plastic is recycled in the UK, with large amounts ending up in landfill. For single-use plastics with readily available alternatives (e.g., disposable polystyrene cups/lids, cutlery, plates, straws), plastics bans have already been introduced in the UK and the EU. Despite strong public support for more stringent bans on single-use plastic packaging, the lack of high performing and scalable replacements which biodegrade safely within the environment hinders the introduction of wider bans.Inspired by nature, Xampla has developed a next-generation bio-based and biodegradable material produced from a range of plant proteins (food grade and from otherwise waste byproducts). By harnessing the natural ability of plant proteins to self-assemble, we have created a new class of structured protein materials with remarkable functional properties. Our plant protein resin acts as a drop-in replacement for synthetic polymers in current single-use packaging manufacturing processes.Our protein resin can be used to produce a range of materials with highly controlled properties, including films and coatings for packaging applications. To date, we have targeted high value low volume film applications, such as edible and soluble packaging. However, for us to reach volume, scale and access lower value, higher volume applications we need to further develop our resin production process from lower cost and more sustainable waste byproduct proteins.With Innovate UK support, we will develop an efficient protein extraction process to valorise otherwise waste/byproduct plant biomass supplied by THG Labs - a leading product development and manufacturing partner for global beauty brands. The materials made by this new process will be assessed by Elemis - a global British beauty and skincare brand - as a replacement for synthetic polymers in packaging of their cosmetic products. Utilising plant proteins sources from waste/byproduct biomass will reduce price point of our material and bring additional sustainability benefits. The project outputs will support the UK's ambition to become a world leader in sustainable packaging, addressing global plastic pollution and the climate crises.