Dr. Franziska Lederer
f.lederer@hzdr.de
Tel.: +49 (0) 351 260 2427
HZDR
Introduction
The Satellite Project PUreValue aims to transform polyurethane (PU) rich waste streams from the FINEST consortium into valuable resources through bacterial, fungal degradation, and enzymes, optimized for PU degradation by AI- and/or rational design based enzyme engineering. The project aims to reduce environmental harm caused by unmanaged PU waste, turning it into upcycled polymers, bioagents, and biomass for bioenergy production. Additionally, the project will utilize specially designed polymer-binding peptides to enhance enzymatic PU degradation, facilitate plastic detection, and enable efficient separation of PU intermediates. A predictive software tool will be developed that evaluates the environmental impact of PU degradation fragments, and sustainability assessments, including life cycle analysis, will compare different processes. Ultimately, the goal is to create a sustainable circular economy for PU, promoting resource efficiency and reducing waste.
Satellite Project Coordinator
Partner
Associated Partner
To achieve its goals, PUreValue is structured into three complementary research clusters.
In the first cluster, researchers from UFZ are focused on identifying, characterizing and optimizing fungal and bacterial strains for PU degradation. Additionally real time monitoring of the conversion process will be investigated. Furthermore, IOM and UFZ will analyze monomers, breakdown products, and parent materials while developing membrane technologies for separating microbial biomasses and PU fragments.
The second cluster centers on structure-guided and AI-based enhancement of highly active PU-depolymerizing enzymes. HZB will refine enzymes originating from the first cluster and in collaboration with HU Berlin explore novel polymer production methodologies based on PU mono- or small oligomers.
The third cluster addresses PU additives, which hinder current recycling processes. HZDR researchers will develop PU- and additive-selective peptides to enhance enzyme-based degradation and allow separation of PU degradation products. Further, degradation products will be screened for potential bioagents and the use of resulting biomass in bioenergy plants will be explored in partnership with BTU Cottbus.
Sustainability assessment and training form an integral part of PUreValue. The project will collaborate with the FINEST Research School to establish a framework for comparing PUreValue processes against processes devolped within FINEST. Finally, an AI-based evaluation of the environmental hazards of polymer fragments will be conducted with the support of the Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS). The outcomes of these assessments will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders beyond the project consortium.
By integrating cutting-edge biotechnological innovations, computational modeling, and sustainability assessments, PUreValue seeks to revolutionize PU recycling, thereby fostering a sustainable and economically viable circular economy for PU materials.
Team
Dr. Christian Eberlein (UFZ)
Postdoc
Dr. Frank Lennartz (HZB)
Postdoc
Mail: frank.lennartz@helmholtz-berlin.de
URL: https://www.helmholtz-berlin.de/pubbin/vkart.pl?v=uqqou
Dr. Thomas Krause (HZDR)
Postdoc
Mail: t.krause@hzdr.de
URL: https://www.hzdr.de/db/!ContMan.Visi.Card?pNid=no&pUser=165219
Dr. Gert Weber (HZB)
Principal Investigator
Mail: gert.weber@helmholtz-berlin.de
URL: https://www.helmholtz-berlin.de/pubbin/vkart.pl?v=nnoan
