Plant and process engineering

If material researchers and engineers had a favourite material, carbon fibres are probably it. Why? Because they are light-weight but extremely sturdy. Motor and wind energy industry as well as space, aviation and naval industries are already using the composite material for their lightweight constructions and applications. However, thus far the versatile material is still petrol-based. This not only translates to an expensive manufacturing process, but also requires large amounts of resources and is simply not sustainable.

Dandelion is much more than a common flower - dandelion rubber is already used to make car tires. Moreover, a molecule from the dandelion root, inulin, is also added to many foods, for example as a low-calorie fat substitute. However, it is not an equivalent substitute, because yoghurt with inulin has a different texture and thus leaves a different feeling on the tongue. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI-P) in Mainz have therefore investigated the physical properties of various inulin preparations.

Environmental pollution caused by plastic waste is a hot-button issue right now - whether it's waste islands in the oceans or microplastics in the fields which eventually end up in the intestines of humans. However, plastic packaging cannot be dispensed off everywhere. Thus, more and more biodegradable plastics are being produced, which are supposed to have less impact on the environment.

Plastics, plastic packaging and the resulting waste threatening the environment as well as our health are on everyone's mind at the moment.

Plastics are an integral part of our everyday lives. Whether foil, cables or artificial leather - due to its diverse material properties, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) can be used in many different ways. Measured by its production volume, PVC is now the third most important plastic in the world after polyethylene and polypropylene. Nonetheless, the so-called soft PVC, which is frequently used for cable insulators, floor coverings or hoses, is increasingly subject to criticism.

As useful as it may be, plastic has become a household-synonym for "environmental pollution": It is based on fossil fuels and releases large amounts of CO₂ when broken down, thereby contributing significantly to global warming. Biobased plastics - or bioplastics for short - are often advertised as a sustainable alternative with a neutral carbon footprint.

Large quantities of fossil fuels are still used for the production of medicines, cosmetics or even food. However, such fossil-based raw material is not only finite, but also extremely harmful to the environment. That is why a number of chemists, process engineers and engineers are working towards a more environmentally friendly production by using enzymes and biobased processes.

It is a clear sign of trust from existing investors: Delivery Hero and other shareholders are investing 2.7 million euros in the growth of the cleantech start-up BIO-LUTIONS. With this investment, the Hamburg-based company intends to expand its production site in Schwedt. The manufacturer of sustainable packaging and disposable products based on agricultural residues anticipates a rapid increase in demand when the EU ban on disposable plastic articles comes into force in the middle of this year.

Nearly nine years ago, in 2010, breast implants made of cheap industrial silicone caused a scandal in medical technology. The case occupied the courts for many years and also focused on the issue of biocompatibility for biomedical materials. These materials are used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes in or on a patient's body. Therefore, high demands are placed on their safety - but standardized, comprehensive and rapid evaluation methods are still lacking.

Hormones from the contraceptive pill turn male frogs into females, antibiotic residues promote the development of resistant bacteria: Numerous chemical compounds, in particular residues from pharmaceuticals, industry and agriculture, cause ecological problems when they enter the environment by way of water. This can can also have health consequences for humans. A new approach aims to make it easier to remove these so-called xenobiotics from wastewater in sewage treatment plants.