BIOPLASTICS
The challenge of CETEC Biotechnology is to make PHAs competitive in terms of PERFORMANCE and COST.
The viable strategic solution of CETEC Biotechnology is the UTILIZATION OF RESIDUES as a feedstock for the biotechnological process. For that purpose, CETEC Biotechnology has signed relevant agreements with regional agri-food companies for the supply of industrial solid wastes for the exploitation of these wastes as energy and carbon sources for the biotechnological production of bioplastics
Polyhydroxyalkanoates or PHAs are linear polyesters produce in nature by bacteria and other microorganisms to store carbon and energy under stress conditions. They are 100% biodegradable and can be either thermoplastic or elastomeric materials.
Traditional plastic is made from petroleum-based raw materials which are increasingly scarce and are non-biodegradable (it can take more than 1000 years to decompose).
Bioplastics are made from renewable resources and thus they can help to reduce the use of non-renewable, oil-based resources, supporting sustainability initiative.
Advantages of PHAs as bioplastic:
They are biodegradable under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, water, soil, home and industrial composting
They do not involve the consumption of non-renewable raw materials. In fact they offer the possibility of using local resources.
They reduce carbon footprint
They are no toxic. They do not contain additives that are harmful to health, such as bisphenol A a hormone disrupter that is often found in traditional plastics
High versatility in processing. They are thermoplastic or elastomers compounds which can be processed by equipment used in the processing of synthetic plastics.
Low permeability to water and gases. Their high barrier properties together with its high versatility in processing gives PHAs a great potential in the packaging sector
They are biocompatible. Their biocompatibility makes them prime candidates for biomedical applications.
They increase consumer engagement. Oil-based plastics are becoming less acceptable to consumers, brands and governments. Consumers are increasingly looking for more environmentally friendly products.
Food and non-food packaging
Catering and domestic utensils in general
3D printing
Textile uses
Medical and surgical uses
Construction and building: insulating foams, coatings and profiles
Automotive: bumpers, dashboards, controls, hubcaps, etc
Electricity and electronics: cell phone cases, computers, CDs, etc
We offer microorganisms-based technologies to remove contaminants of saline environments, such as saline industrial wastewaters.
Heavy metals biosorption. Heavy metal pollution represents an important environmental problem due to the toxic effects of metals. Their accumulation throughout the food chain can lead to serious ecological and health problems. CETEC Biotechnology have developed a biobased strategy for the active removing of heavy metals from saline waters.
Natural process with almost no harmful side effects
Low cost
High efficiency
Minimal equipment needed
Quick turnaround time to make water useful
High public and regulatory authorities acceptance
Technical advice on sustainability and circular economy, applying an integral vision of the whole value chain based on the improvement of both products and the optimization of transformation processes.
Reduction of costs and improvement of the profitability of the companies through the reduction of the environmental impacts to optimize the used raw materials.
Improve the management of production processes or minimize consumption.
Ecodesign
Optimization and improvement of operations and processes: clean production
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA- LCAs- LCC)
Selection and obtaining of ecolabels
Improves product properties and weight reduction
Carbon Footprint. Water Footprint
Audits for homologation of recuperators and recyclers
Development of new advanced plastic materials
Development of custom-made polymer materials
Development of new sustainable plastic composites
Recovery of plastic waste
Analysis of recyclability: analysis of recycled plastic materials
Optimization of recycling processes
Studies of sustainability and recyclability of products
Feasibility study of bioplastics production
Determination of the Degree of Biodegradability and Compostability of a material or final product according to the UNE- EN 13432 standard