A TK Polymers programme aims at the industrial validation and environmental assessment of technologies related to biological polymers. The project is led by the Bay Zoltán Research Centre and approaches the development of biopolymer-based materials based on the principles of the circular economy and eco-design.
Main objectives
- Production of monomers of biological origin, mainly from non-food agricultural by-products by fermentation or biotechnological processes
- Developing new types of biopolymersthat meet market needs (e.g. food packaging, single-use devices)
- Investigating the recycling of polymers, including the recycling potential of PLA (polylactic acid) and other biopolymers
- Assessing the manageability of mixed waste streams – how PLA is mixed with other plastics in the collection and processing process
- Biodegradation testing under natural conditions
- Life cycle analysis (LCA) to assess the environmental impact of developed materials
Environmental and industrial significance
The project will focus on the environmental and technological aspects of biodegradable and industrially compostable polymers, with a particular focus on recycling opportunities. The aim is not only to development of environmentally friendly raw materialsbut also their integration into existing industrial systems.
A TK Polymers contributes to a a circular plastics economy and, in the long term, creates the opportunity to replace conventional fossil-based plastics with biodegradable materials.
