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MARINFORSK-Marine ressurser og miljø

Metagenomic study into the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from marine raw rest materials using an open fermentation approach

Alternative title: Metagenomisk studie i produksjonen av polyhydroksyalkanoater (PHA) fra marine råstoffmaterialer ved bruk av en åpen fermenteringsmetode.

Awarded: NOK 53,999

Plastics are a major source of environmental pollution. Bioplastics simultaneously offer a solution and an opportunity to extend the value chain of the Norwegian fishing and aquaculture industry. In this project, several fermentation strategies will be employed to convert various different types of unutilized rest raw materials from Norway?s fishing industry (estimated at over 600,000 tons per annum) into biopolymers, which will then be assessed for use as environmentally-friendly bioplastics. Bioplastics are associated with high future growth projections and the potential to strongly contribute to Norway?s bioeconomy. The global bioplastics and biopolymer market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17,5 % or more between 2016-2020, with an expected increase to USD 20 billion by 2019, and USD 324 billion by 2030.

Outcomes: A better understanding of a complex fermentation technology that we aim to establish in Norway. The project also strengthened our international network of research collaborators. Impacts: This short, but important, visit to one of our research partners has helped us to better understand, and hopefully in the future control, a novel technology to convert marine rest materials into bioplastic. This could potentially help to increase the value chain of local actors in the fish industry as well as help to grow Norway's bioeconomy.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) is a versatile class of biopolymers that is considered to be a prime candidate for bioplastic applications. However, despite PHA's commercial potential, high production costs is hampering its development as an viable alternative for conventional fossil-based plastics. Subsequently, the major focus of current PHA research is to reduce production cost by looking at cheaper feedstocks and fermentation processes. This project will contribute invaluable knowledge in this regard. Connected to the NewPolySea project (funded by the BIOTEK2021 program), the research visit to NOVA University (Portugal) will generate new knowledge in the production of PHA from marine raw rest materials using a novel fermentation approach.

Funding scheme:

MARINFORSK-Marine ressurser og miljø

Thematic Areas and Topics

No thematic area or topic related to the project