Modelling Analysis and Processability Optimization of PHA Bioplastics

预计到2023年，全球对可生物降解聚合物的需求将从目前的36万吨增加到55万吨。预计到2023年，3D打印塑料市场将从目前的6.158亿美元达到19.653亿美元。同样，到2025年，全球注塑塑料市场预计将达到4787.2亿美元。我们的工业合作伙伴Genecis开发了由食物垃圾制成的聚羟基链烷酸酯（PHA）颗粒，可转化为生物降解塑料。传统制造商使用来自昂贵原料（如玉米、甘蔗或菜籽油）的糖来制造PHA聚合物。在Genecis的案例中，有机食品废弃物被用作生产原料，这意味着Genecis收取有机食品废弃物的费用，然后将其转化为生产相同的高质量PHA聚合物，成本降低了40%。目前，还没有从有机废物中商业规模生产PHA的报道。Gene-plastic PHA聚合物具有与同类塑料相当的功能和机械/物理性能。当被丢弃时，基因塑料可以在一年内在水生和陆地环境中生物降解。 拟议项目的重点是使用注塑成型和3D打印工艺由新型生物塑料制成的部件的可制造性，可加工性和生物降解性，例如食品包装和一次性餐具。通过该项目，Genecis将确定其PHA的市场渗透点，并为潜在客户提供支持数据，案例研究和分析。 Genecis的增长意味着增加就业机会，改善加拿大企业的环境足迹，同时利用食物垃圾创造新的增值链。随着目前全球使用生物塑料和减少塑料污染的趋势，出口机会和市场份额的增加是有希望的。

The global demand for biodegradable polymers is expected to increase to 550,000 metric tons by 2023 from the current 360,000 tons. The 3D printing plastics market is projected to reach USD 1,965.3 million by 2023 from the current 615.8 million. Similarly, the global injection molded plastics market is expected to reach 478.72 billion by 2025. Our industrial partner, Genecis, has developed polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) granules made from food waste that can be converted into biodegradable plastics. Traditional manufacturers use sugars from expensive feedstocks such as corn, sugar cane, or canola oil to make PHA polymers. In Genecis' case, organic food waste is used as the production feedstock meaning Genecis is paid to take organic food waste which is then converted to produce the same high-quality PHA polymers at a fraction of the cost, 40% cost reduction. Currently, there are no reports of commercial scale production of PHA from organic waste. The Gene-plastic PHA polymer has comparable functionality and mechanical/physical properties to comparable plastics. When discarded, Gene-plastic can biodegrade in aquatic and terrestrial environments in under a year. The proposed project focuses on the manufacturability, processability and biodegradability of parts made from the new bioplastic using injection molding and 3D printing processes, e.g. food packaging and disposable tableware. Through this project Genecis will identify a point of market penetration for its PHA and provide supporting data, cases studies and analyses to potential customers. The growth of Genecis means increased job creation and improved environmental footprint of Canadian businesses while creating a new value-added chain utilizing food waste. With the current global trend to use bioplastics and reduce plastic pollution, exporting opportunities and increased market share are promising.