1. Converting waste to a high value biodegradable plastic Dr Kevin O’ Connor School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science

2. Sustainability “ .. meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. ” Brundtland report 1987 Economic growth Linked to waste production (unsustainable) Plastic Highly desired & highly problematic Biodegradable plastic Compostable and high value uses Integrating technologies The key to success Sustainability and eco-innovation

3. A modern world enabled by plastics

4. A modern world full of plastic

5. More emphasis on recycling of plastics needed ( Peter Sundt Secretary General EPRO) Waste recycling EU 25

6. Source: PlasticsEurope 2007 Recovery rates for plastic in Europe Group of leading countries with recovery rates above 80%

7. Waste opportunity Waste as a target – Increasing cost of waste management – Uncertainty about waste management in the future – Limited technologies for high value conversion – Low cost starting material Petrochemical plastic waste Scientific academic challenge Poor recycling rates PS – 2% recycling rate in US (highest worldwide) PET- 25% recycling – collection system in operation PE – 10% recycling – Farm plastics – collection scheme

8. Petrochemical plastic Multi-purpose (Non-biodegradable) Strategy for upcycling plastic waste Waste Landfill Upcycle Convert to value added product Recycle to petrochemical plastic low value product relative to virgin material Downcycling New Markets

9. PS, PET & others Plastic upcycling to a biodegradable plastic PET to PHA – patented Mixed plastic - patented Other patents under development Chemistry Pyrolysis PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate) Microbiology Fermentation

10. Bioplastic Opportunity Biodegradable plastic – Premium product – Rapidly growing markets – Petrochemical US$ 300 billion market – Bioplastics 25% share of market by 2020 Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) – Packaging, agriculture, textiles, medicine – Biocompatible (biomedical implants/wound healing) – Highly desired by industry – One of 5 chemicals to change the world (Forbes)

11. EU lead market Initiative and Kok Report The production of a single (bio)product from waste or renewable resources (Single (bio)refinery) is not sustainable (Life cycle analysis) Sole product mentality obsolete Biofuels – bioethanol, biodiesel Bioplastics – Polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoate Biolubricants – plant oils Need for integration of emerging technologies e.g. Biofuels and bioplastics Technology integration: key to success