Production and characterization of environmentally degradable polymers (EDPs) based on renewable sources: sugarcane

• Grant number: 01/02909-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: November 01, 2001
• End date: June 30, 2004
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Jefter Fernandes Do Nascimento
• Grantee: Jefter Fernandes Do Nascimento
• Company: PHB Industrial S/A
• City: Serrana
• Associated research grant(s): 04/13806-4 - Development of new products and new markets for the poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) - PHB, AP.PIPE3

Abstract

Poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) or PI-113 is an environmentally biodegradable polymer, synthesized and accumulated as a reserve substance by a series of bacteria, with thermoplastic properties similar to those of conventional polymers. However, it manifests the peculiarity of being highly biodegradable when exposed to biologically active environments, which makes it very attractive in refuse situations in the environment. This polymer is also biocompatible, with a high regularity of polymeric chain and high molecular weight, which permits numerous industrial applications, including flexible packaging (films), rigid packaging (blown bottles, plastic bottle tops and thermoforming sheets) and surgical components, among others. The biodegradable plastic PHB (polyhidroxibutirate) synthesized by biotechnological production is extremely competitive commercially, since starting with cane sugar, with the stages of synthesis, extraction and purification of the polymer with natural solvents, a final product with a very low cost is obtained. The present project aims to launch this product on the plastic packaging market. In order to characterize and formulate the polymer, it will be necessary to acquire some basic equipment in polymer technology which will go towards complementing the investments already made by PHB Industrial S/A in this project (AU)