— By Plasteurope.com correspondent — 

Spanish plastics technology centre Aimplas (Valencia; www.aimplas.net) is participating in the Polymeer project funded by the EU’s Circular Bio-Based Joint Undertaking Horizon program. The project’s focus is on optimising the conversion of brewer’s spent grain (BSG) into a feedstock for bioplastics. BSG, although rich in fibre and protein, is mostly used as low-value animal feed or discarded in landfills, Aimplas said.

The 48-month Polymeer undertaking, which began 1 September this year, is to develop new bio-based polymers, copolymers, and polymer blends based on BSG to utilise green, waste-minimised processes that expand innovative alternatives to fossil-based feedstocks. 

In addition, the project aims to establish a sustainable bio-based value chain for bioplastic products. The efficient conversion of BSG into high added-value materials will diversify the array of solutions capable of replacing traditional polymers. A further goal will be to assess life cycle sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of the solutions, Aimplas said.

Related: Aimplas joins zero-waste project for bio-based industrial ecosystems

The technology centre went on to say that materials will undergo precise chemical design to meet a specific set of properties for three targeted applications that include mulch films suitable for agricultural use, textiles for the automotive industry, and tertiary packaging films for industrial purposes. All products will be designed to be recycled and/or biodegraded in specific environments.

The project has received EUR 4.9 mn in funding and involves an international consortium of 14 participants from academic institutions, research centres, and companies from eight countries.