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产生污染，通过分解和释放微塑料到环境中。在英国，不到一半的废弃塑料被回收利用，大量塑料最终被填埋。对于具有现成替代品的一次性塑料（例如，一次性聚苯乙烯杯/盖，餐具，盘子，吸管），塑料禁令已经在英国和欧盟推出。尽管公众强烈支持对一次性塑料包装实施更严格的禁令，但由于缺乏高性能和可扩展的替代品，无法在环境中安全地生物降解，因此阻碍了更广泛的禁令的实施。受大自然的启发，Xampla开发了一种新一代生物基和可生物降解的材料，该材料由一系列植物蛋白质（食品级和其他废弃副产品）制成。通过利用植物蛋白质自组装的天然能力，我们创造了一类具有显着功能特性的新型结构蛋白质材料。我们的植物蛋白树脂可作为当前一次性包装制造工艺中合成聚合物的直接替代品。我们的蛋白树脂可用于生产一系列具有高度可控性能的材料，包括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低容量薄膜应用，如可食用和可溶性包装。然而，为了达到产量，规模和获得低价值，高产量的应用，我们需要进一步开发我们的树脂生产工艺，从更低的成本和更可持续的废物副产品蛋白质。在Innovate UK的支持下，我们将开发一种高效的蛋白质提取工艺，以提高THG Labs提供的废物/副产品植物生物质的价值，THG Labs是全球美容品牌的领先产品开发和制造合作伙伴。由这种新工艺制成的材料将由英国全球美容护肤品牌Elemis评估，作为其化妆品包装中合成聚合物的替代品。利用来自废弃物/副产品生物质的植物蛋白质资源将降低我们材料的价格，并带来额外的可持续发展效益。该项目的产出将支持英国成为可持续包装领域的世界领导者，解决全球塑料污染和气候危机的雄心。

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.