Nanoparticles for biodecomposable polymers made from upcycled PET&PP waste

The upPE-T project aims at the upcycling of persistent petroleum-based plastics through bioconversion. Biodegradable plastics for food and beverage packaging are produced. Plastic packaging, which accounts for almost 60% of the total plastic waste in Europe, is highly problematic from a waste management and ecological point of view due to its durability and degradability. Polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are the leading plastics used for food and beverage packaging (43% PE and 19% PET). The recycling of this plastic waste has become a major problem that is contrary to the development of a sustainable society. In upPE-T we will develop sustainable strategies as an alternative for the chemical degradation of plastics. The consortium will improve PE and PET depolymerization through enzymatic engineering to increase the recycling rate of food and beverage packaging and achieve the improvement expected by the European Union. In upPE-T we will convert PE and PET waste streams into raw material for the production of biodegradable plastics by enzymatic degradation and biotechnological processes. Finally, together with customers and brand owners of food and beverages, the bio-based final packaging will be demonstrated and validated to ensure rapid market introduction. In addition, to ensure that PE and PET are 100% recyclable, plastic waste that is not optimal for microbial bioconversion into bioplastics will be upgraded by using it in construction applications rather than being sent for incineration or landfill.