PHA.
PHAs are a class of natural materials that exist in nature for over millions of years. These materials are both bio-based and biodegradable, similar to other natural materials such as cellulose, proteins and starch. PHAs are produced by an extensive variety of microorganisms through bacterial fermentation. During fermentation, bacteria convert different types of feedstock into a product. In this case, the microbes produce PHA, a natural polymer. This natural process can be mimicked in an industrial setting.
During the last 20-30 years, dozens of initiatives from all over the world have been started to make PHA materials useful for durable and structural applications as a sustainable alternative to chemically synthesised polymers.
Feedstock.
10 years ago, the main feedstock sources were corn, sugar and vegetable oils. Today, many PHA producing start-ups are working with innovative technologies that use waste water streams, plastic waste, renewable methane as well as carbon dioxide as feedstock.
Properties.
Today, 9 different PHA families are produced developed in the short, medium and long-chain length composition. PHA products range from amorphous to highly crystalline. They go from high-strength, hard and brittle to low-strength, soft and elastic. The chemical composition of PHAs can be formed and adjusted depending on which monomers are used and in which composition. PHAs have a potentially large design space and resulting application options as a wide variety of different polymers can be co-polymerised and blended.
Applications.
The versatility of the PHA family accommodates a wide range of market applications, due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and green credentials. Depending on type and grade, PHAs can be used for injection moulding, extrusion, thermoforming, foam, non-wovens, fibers, 3D-printing, paper and fertiliser coating, glues, adhesives, as additive for reinforcement or plasticisation or as building block for thermosets in paints and foams. The main markets where PHAs have already achieved some degree of penetration are packaging, food service, agriculture and medical products.
End-of-Life.
PHA can be reused. It can be recycled back to the polymer for new applications. It can be recycled back to raw materials to be used as renewable feedstock. It can be recycled to the environment through industrial or home composting. It can be recycled through incineration creating renewable energy. And lastly, it can be recycled to nutrients for living organisms through full biodegradation.
Closing the loop with PHAs
White Papers
#7 What about recycling of PHA-polymers?
In cooperation with Danimer Scientific we explore the end-of-life options of the PHA-platform and find that PHAs meet the needs of all known end-of-life options. We also explain the details behind this statement and its implications.
#6 Preventing pollution with PHAs: denitrification
In this paper we reflect on excess and toxic nitrogen compounds, like nitrates, nitrites and ammonia, that pollute our water and soil, and generate nitrous oxide (N2O) gas and GHG emissions that significantly affect global warming. PHAs can play a role in mitigating these effects.
#5 Analogy between PHA materials and Vanillin
The purpose of this paper is to draw a parallel between legislation on calling “fermentative production of Vanillin as a flavour” and “PHA-products as polymers” natural. We suggest that industrially fermented PHA in the world of polymers can be analogous with industrially fermented Vanillin in the world of flavours.
#4 Preventing plastics pollution with PHA in the Circular Economy
In this paper we touch upon carbon and other emissions to the environment, plastics’ share of that carbon emission and how PHA can help to reduce these negative effects to the environment.
#3 Preventing plastics pollution with PHA
Plastics are ubiquitous in our daily lives. Their durability, transparency, flexibility, lightweight nature, and ease of processing have made them one of the most commonly used and produced materials today. The benefits are clear. However, their end-of-life options are causing a real crisis nowadays.
#2 PHAs: the natural materials of the future
Polyhydroxyalkanoates or PHA’s are a series of natural bio-benign materials that have appeared in nature for over 3 billion years, similar to other natural materials like wood, other cellulose based materials, proteins and starch.
#1 Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) - an emerging and versatile polymer platform
The emerging Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) class of polymers (the PHA-platform) consists of a large variety of polymers that are quite different in nature and performance, just like most other polymer platforms, e.g. polyamides or polyethylenes.