Chemistry

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a major component of the cannabis plant and is known primarily for its intoxicating effects. In a weakened form, the natural substance has also long been used in medicine to alleviate neurological diseases and pain. However, isolating the natural substance in pure form from the hemp plant is very costly. Therefore, such plant compounds are increasingly produced biotechnologically using bacteria such as Escherichia coli or the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Whether cables, car tires, packaging or children's toys: many everyday objects are made of plastic. The versatility of plastic is enabled by plasticizers, which not only make the material softer, but also more flexible, elastic or resilient. But plasticizers, like conventional plastics, also consist largely of petroleum, which is neither climate-friendly nor infinitely available. In the "Bioplasticizers" project, partners from research and industry have therefore been researching a sustainable alternative since 2017.

Elastomers make up a large proportion of plastics. Although some of them are based on natural rubber, there is still potential for optimizing the raw materials in terms of sustainability. The Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF now wants to exploit this potential by developing new formulations. In addition to biobased raw materials, residual materials are also to be used. Both replace materials that were previously produced from petroleum.

Contributing to the idea of a circular bioeconomy, the Hamburg-based start-up traceless materials has developed a bio-based material that leaves no trace in the environment but is compostable and can therefore be disposed of in organic waste. The young company is now receiving a grant of 2.4 million euros from the European Innovation Council (EIC) to further develop its technology.

Earlier this year, Peter H. Seeberger was awarded the International Green Chemistry Prize for the production of a sustainable and cost-effective antimalarial agent. Now the biochemist from the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam wants to drive structural change in Lusatia in Saxony and the Central German mining region together with his team.

About four kilograms of microplastics per person enter the environment every year in Germany as a result of washing synthetic fibers. The tiny particles then enter waterways via wastewater, where they are ingested by fish. However, some aquatic animals have a filter system in their gills that separates food particles from the water and thus also filters out microplastics.

Agricultural residues range from wheat and grapevines to hemp, hops, tomatoes and zucchini. A novel fiber technology, developed by CleanTech start-up BIO-LUTIONS and Zelfo Technology GmbH, enables this rich array of plant residues to be processed into sustainable products such as packaging and disposable tableware. For this, the developer duo from Schwedt was awarded the Brandenburg Innovation Prize in the plastics and chemistry category.

Bioplastics such as PLA (polylactide) are now used in many areas - from food packaging to dowels or children's toys. Nevertheless, their share is still low compared to conventional plastics based on fossil raw materials. The same applies to composites, which have to exhibit certain properties and therefore consist of different plastics. Here, too, there are now partially or completely bio-based materials. Researchers at the IfBB at Hannover University of Applied Sciences now want to prove that bioplastics can also withstand high temperatures and stresses.