Continuous Production of PHAs
PHA ( polyhydroxyalkanoates) are biobased and biodegradable polymers . They are typically produced in batches. PHACTUS is exploring an alternative approach: a continuous process, from the preparation of raw materials to the production of polymers.
To fuel this process, the project will use, among other things, urban organic waste and sludge from wastewater treatment. A pilot plant will be used to test its operation, with digital tools to monitor and control production. The project has both economic and environmental goals. PHACTUS aims for a production cost of €3/kg or less and a 57% reduction in the carbon footprint over the entire life cycle, compared to PHAs produced from crops. These are objectives that the research will help evaluate.
NaturePlast’s Initiative
The resulting PHA must then be adapted for their intended uses, particularly in construction, agriculture, and packaging. This is where NaturePlast comes in .
We are developing formulations for rigid applications using the PHAs produced as part of the PHACTUS project. The selected formulations will be compounded, injection-molded, and characterized on a laboratory scale. These tests will allow us to study their properties and their processability.
The project will run from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2029. It is funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU).
Find out more about PHACTUS’s objectives and the details of our involvement in the project overview: https://natureplast.eu/projet/phactus/