MIXed plastics biodegradation and UPcycling using microbial communities: EU Horizon 2020 project MIX-UP started January 2020
Environmental Sciences Europe, vol. 33, pp. 99
Abstract
This article introduces the EU Horizon 2020 research project MIX-UP, "Mixed plastics biodegradation and upcycling using microbial communities". The project focuses on changing the traditional linear value chain of plastics to a sustainable, biodegradable based one. Plastic mixtures contain five of the top six fossil-based recalcitrant plastics [polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PUR), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS)], along with upcoming bioplastics polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and polylactate (PLA) will be used as feedstock for microbial transformations. Consecutive controlled enzymatic and microbial degradation of mechanically pre-treated plastics wastes combined with subsequent microbial conversion to polymers and value-added chemicals by mixed cultures. Known plastic-degrading enzymes will be optimised by integrated protein engineering to achieve high specific binding capacities, stability, and catalytic efficacy towards a broad spectrum of plastic polymers under high salt and temperature conditions. Another focus lies in the search and isolation of novel enzymes active on recalcitrant polymers. MIX-UP will formulate enzyme cocktails tailored to specific waste streams and strives to enhance enzyme production significantly. In vivo and in vitro application of these cocktails enable stable, self-sustaining microbiomes to convert the released plastic monomers selectively into value-added products, key building blocks, and biomass. Any remaining material recalcitrant to the enzymatic activities will be recirculated into the process by physicochemical treatment. The Chinese-European MIX-UP consortium is multidisciplinary and industry-participating to address the market need for novel sustainable routes to valorise plastic waste streams. The project's new workflow realises a circular (bio)plastic economy and adds value to present poorly recycled plastic wastes where mechanical and chemical plastic recycling show limits.
Authors 28
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Affiliation as printed
Institute of Applied Microbiology (iAMB), Aachen Biology and Biotechnology (ABBt), RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Institute of Applied Microbiology (iAMB), Aachen Biology and Biotechnology (ABBt), RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Institute of Applied Microbiology (iAMB), Aachen Biology and Biotechnology (ABBt), RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Institute of Applied Microbiology (iAMB), Aachen Biology and Biotechnology (ABBt), RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Research Center Jülich, Wilhelm Johnen Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Research Center Jülich, Wilhelm Johnen Straße, 52428, Jülich, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17487 Greifswald, Germany
Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17487, Greifswald, Germany
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Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Institut de Chimie et Procédés pour l'Energie, l'Environnement et la Santé · Université de Strasbourg
Affiliation as printed
BioTeam/ICPEES-ECPM, UMR CNRS 7515, Université de Strasbourg, 25 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
BioTeam/ICPEES-ECPM, UMR CNRS 7515, Université de Strasbourg, 25 rue Becquerel, 67087, Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
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Affiliation as printed
Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17487 Greifswald, Germany
Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17487, Greifswald, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Affiliation as printed
everwave GmbH, Strüverweg 116, 52070 Aachen, Germany
everwave GmbH, Strüverweg 116, 52070, Aachen, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Fluid Process Engineering, Aachen Process Technology (AVT), RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstraße 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Fluid Process Engineering, Aachen Process Technology (AVT), RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstraße 51, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry (ITMC), RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry (ITMC), RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Affiliation as printed
College of Life Science and Technology (CLST), Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beisanhuan EastRoad 15, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029 PR China
College of Life Science and Technology (CLST), Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beisanhuan EastRoad 15, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, PR China
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Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas
Affiliation as printed
Interdisciplinary Platform for Sustainable Plastics Towards a Circular Economy-Spanish National Research Council (SusPlast-CSIC), Biological Research Center (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interdisciplinary Platform for Sustainable Plastics Towards a Circular Economy-Spanish National Research Council (SusPlast-CSIC), Biological Research Center (CIB-CSIC), 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Affiliation as printed
BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas
Affiliation as printed
Interdisciplinary Platform for Sustainable Plastics Towards a Circular Economy-Spanish National Research Council (SusPlast-CSIC), Biological Research Center (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interdisciplinary Platform for Sustainable Plastics Towards a Circular Economy-Spanish National Research Council (SusPlast-CSIC), Biological Research Center (CIB-CSIC), 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Affiliation as printed
SOPREMA, Direction R&D, 14 Rue Saint Nazaire, 67100 Strasbourg, France
SOPREMA, Direction R&D, 14 Rue Saint Nazaire, 67100, Strasbourg, France
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Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Institut de Chimie et Procédés pour l'Energie, l'Environnement et la Santé · Université de Strasbourg
Affiliation as printed
BioTeam/ICPEES-ECPM, UMR CNRS 7515, Université de Strasbourg, 25 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
BioTeam/ICPEES-ECPM, UMR CNRS 7515, Université de Strasbourg, 25 rue Becquerel, 67087, Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
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Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas
Affiliation as printed
Interdisciplinary Platform for Sustainable Plastics Towards a Circular Economy-Spanish National Research Council (SusPlast-CSIC), Biological Research Center (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interdisciplinary Platform for Sustainable Plastics Towards a Circular Economy-Spanish National Research Council (SusPlast-CSIC), Biological Research Center (CIB-CSIC), 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Affiliation as printed
Bioplastech Ltd., Nova UCD, Belfield Innovation Park, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Affiliation as printed
AB Enzymes GmbH, Feldbergstraße 78, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
AB Enzymes GmbH, Feldbergstraße 78, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
SOPREMA, Direction R&D, 14 Rue Saint Nazaire, 67100 Strasbourg, France
SOPREMA, Direction R&D, 14 Rue Saint Nazaire, 67100, Strasbourg, France
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Affiliation as printed
Institute of Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Aachen Biology and Biotechnology (ABBt), RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Institute of Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Aachen Biology and Biotechnology (ABBt), RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816 PR China
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, PR China
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Affiliation as printed
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816 PR China
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, PR China
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Chinese Academy of Sciences · Institute of Process Engineering
Affiliation as printed
State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering (IPE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North 2nd Street, Zhongguancun, Beijing, 100190 PR China
State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering (IPE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North 2nd Street, Zhongguancun, Beijing, 100190, PR China
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Affiliation as printed
School of Life Sciences (SLS), Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 PR China
School of Life Sciences (SLS), Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China
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Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Affiliation as printed
College of Life Science and Technology (CLST), Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beisanhuan EastRoad 15, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029 PR China
College of Life Science and Technology (CLST), Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beisanhuan EastRoad 15, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, PR China
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Affiliation as printed
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816 PR China
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, PR China
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Affiliation as printed
Institute of Applied Microbiology (iAMB), Aachen Biology and Biotechnology (ABBt), RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Institute of Applied Microbiology (iAMB), Aachen Biology and Biotechnology (ABBt), RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
Cited by 71 stored of 71
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