Optimization of Conversion of Food Waste into Biodegradable and Compostable Grade Plastic Resign Material Process for Large Scale Production

GeneCIS BioIndustries是一家将食物垃圾转化为PHA(聚羟基烷酸)可生物降解塑料和其他高价值材料的生物技术公司。自2017年以来，他们迅速将运营规模从多伦多大学的实验室规模扩大到安大略省斯卡伯勒一个4000平方英尺的功能性试点设施。近日，GeneCIS在蒙特利尔国家研究委员会完成了1000 L发酵的工业规模验证，申请了2项专利，并建立了内部材料检测实验室。GeneCIS还完成了将食物垃圾转化为PHA的技术，该技术涉及使用混合有机原料和GeneCIS专有细菌。这一点意义重大，因为目前世界上还没有商业化的技术可以从有机废物等非联合糖源中生产苯丙醇酸。这个与兰伯顿学院合作的项目将专注于%HV的调整及其对材料性能和加工性的影响。为了实现项目的总体目标，将进行一系列物理、机械、流变学和化学分析，以表征不同等级的PHBV(聚-3-羟基丁酸酯-3-羟基戊酸酯)，并进行多项实验，以微调创建的较高%HV PHBV，并为PHBV复合材料产品应用进行聚合物制造试验。该项目的成功将导致创造一种可申请专利的、可生物降解和完全可堆肥的塑料退料等级，用于大规模生产。由此产生的制造结果预计将在2023年年中扩大规模，商业化后的年回报率规模预计为400万加元。随着生产水平的提高，GeneCIS计划建设一个制造设施，预计将创造多达35个新的全职职位。

Genecis Bioindustries is a biotechnology company that converts food waste into PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) biodegradable plastics and other high value materials. Since 2017, they have rapidly scaled operations from the laboratory bench-scale at University of Toronto to operating out of a 4,000 sq/ft functional pilot facility in Scarborough, Ontario. Recently, Genecis has completed an industrial-scale 1000 L fermentation validation at the National Research Council in Montreal, filed 2 patents, and established an in-house materials testing laboratory. Genecis has also completed food waste to PHA conversion technology, which involves using mixed organic feedstock with Genecis proprietary bacteria. This is significant as there is not commercialized technology in the world that can currently produce PHAs from non-union sugar sources like organic waste. This collaborative project with Lambton College will focus on the adjustment of %HV and its effect on material properties and processability. To achieve the overall goal of the project, a series of physical, mechanical, rheological, and chemical analyses to characterize the different grades of PHBVs (poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) will be conducted, as well as multiple experiments to fine-tune the created higher %HV PHBVs and polymer manufacturing trials for PHBV composite product applications. The success of this project will result in the creation of a patentable new biodegradable and fully compostable grade of plastic resign material for large scale production. The resulting manufacturing findings are expected to be scaled-up by mid-2023, with a post-commercialization annual rate of return scale projected at $4 million CAD. With increased level of production, Genecis plans on constructing a manufacturing facility that is estimated to create up to 35 new full-time positions.