Zusammenfassung

BioPlastiCycle addressed the major challenges associated to the linear plastics economy and plastic pollution by developing new materials and processes for bio-based and biodegradable plastics in a circular framework, driven by a highly interdisciplinary consortium. In this context, the project tackled all key aspects of the value cycle for bioplastics, focusing on both the established bio-based polymers polylactide and newly developed innovative materials. This included bio-based monomer production, optimized polymerization, tuning polymer properties for biodegradability, and the development of bio- and chemical recycling strategies, complemented by techno-economic and environmental assessments.
The BioPlastiCycle project was a success and made a significant contribution for the transition of bioplastics towards a circular bioeconomy by delivering new materials, processes, and knowledge that will help reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable regional development.

BOOST FUND 2.0 Projektleiter

Dr. Benedikt Wynands
IBG-1: Biotechnologie
Forschungszentrum Jülich
email: b.wynands@fz-juelich.de

Partner

Prof. Dr. Wiechert & Dr.-Ing. Noack, IBG-1: Systemische Biotechnologie, Forschungszentrum Jülich
Prof. Dr, Herres-Pawlis,  Bioanorganische Chemie, RWTH Aachen
Prof. Dr. Hartmann, Makromolekulare Chemie, HHU Düsseldorf
Prof. Dr. Bott & Prof. Dr. Wierckx & Dr. Wynands, IBG-1: Systemische Mikrobiologie, Forschungszentrum Jülich
Prof. Dr. Vanderborght & Dr. Püzt & Prof. Dr. Bol, IBG-3: Agrosphäre, Forschungszentrum Jülich
Prof. Dr. Walther, Operations Management, RWTH Aachen

Projektlaufzeit

01.05.2022 - 30.09.2025

Förderung

BioPlastiCycle ist Teil des NRW-Strategieprojekts BioSC und wurde vom Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen gefördert.

Publikationen

Becker, T, Takeuchi, K, Süßmuth, C, Boekhoff, F, Schäfer, MA, Kato, S, Hoffmann, A, Hayashi, T and Herres-Pawlis, S (2026). All-Round Talent: Unique Zinc Guanidine Catalyst Performs Efficiently in Synthesis and Chemical Recycling of (Bio)Polyesters. Advanced Science 13(8): e11260. 

Conen, N, Libuda, LP and Jupke, A (2026). From Conventional PLA Production to Chemical Recycling: Techno-Economic Comparison of Two Waste-PLA Recycling Pathways. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 65(8): 4489–4498.

Lehnertz, MS, Dufour, S, Becker, T, Thiele, I, Waldburger, S, Raquez, J-M, Herres-Pawlis, S, Riedel, SL and Palkovits, R (2026). Impact of molecular weight, additives and copolymers on the chemical recycling of (bio)plastics using solid ruthenium-based catalysts. RSC Sustainability 4(2): 1070–1080.

Güreli, N, Meyer, J-C and Walther, G (2025). Towards comparable life cycle assessments: Remodeling-based harmonization of polylactic acid waste depolymerization studies. Sustainable Production and Consumption 60: 78–95.

Halle, L, Höppner, D, Doser, M, Brüsseler, C, Gätgens, J, Conen, N, Jupke, A, Marienhagen, J and Noack, S (2025). From molasses to purified α-ketoglutarate with engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum. Bioresource Technology 416: 131803.

Zikode, M, Ngwenya, A, Becker, T, Herres-Pawlis, S and Ojwach, SO (2025). Structural and Kinetics Studies of N^O-, O^N^O-, and N^N- Schiff Base Mn Complexes as Highly Active Catalysts in the Ring-Opening Polymerization of rac-Lactides. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 28(19): e202500126.

Adeleh, S, Bol, R, Becker, T, Herres-Pawlis, S, Vereecken, H and Pütz, T (2024). Radiolabeling for polymers degradation studies: Opportunities and challenges ahead. Polymer Degradation and Stability 230: 111053

Becker, T, Hermann, A, Saritas, N, Hoffmann, A and Herres-Pawlis, S (2024). Open- and Closed-Loop Recycling: Highly Active Zinc Bisguanidine Polymerization Catalyst for the Depolymerization of Polyesters. ChemSusChem 17(18): e202400933.

Mürtz, SD, Lehnertz, MS, Kümper, J, Häger, E, Markus, A, Becker, T, Herres-Pawlis, S and Palkovits, R (2024). Electrochemical depolymerisation of polylactic acid. Green Chemistry 26(11): 6423-6428.

Abdelshafy, A, Hermann, A, Herres-Pawlis, S and Walther, G (2023). Opportunities and Challenges of Establishing a Regional Bio-based Polylactic Acid Supply Chain. Global Challenges 7(7): 2200218.   

Tenhaef, N, Hermann, A, Müller, MF, Görtz, J, Marienhagen, J, Oldiges, M, Wiechert, W, Bott, M, Jupke, A, Hartmann, L, Herres-Pawlis, S and Noack, S (2023). From Microbial Succinic Acid Production to Polybutylene Bio-Succinate Synthesis . Chemie Ingenieur Technik 95(4): 587-595.