Chemo-enzymatic Synthesis of Functional Bio-Based Polyesters

Since the 1980s, industry and academia have investigated the possibility to improve efficiency, selectivity and sustainability of industrial processes by developing suitable enzyme catalysts as competitive alternatives to traditional stoichiometric synthesis or metallo- catalysis. Some processes and products are nowadays already implemented in industry but further research work is indeed needed in order to optimize and upscale a wide range of sustainable processes and products, especially in the field of bio-based plastics. This proposal aims at the sustainable synthesis of functional plant-derived plastics, which are not accessible by traditional chemical routes. These linear pre-polymers will be chemically post-processed in a 2nd reaction step in order to produce innovative advanced materials with unique properties and targeted at a variety of applications. Such polyesters will be of further inspiration for the next generation of scientists and be of industrial relevance in a timely manner, as they demonstrate how the proposed green synthesis techniques can be used to leave valuable functionality in plant-derived plastics for use in further downstream chemical processing, allowing modification towards a variety of target applications. Based on the solid experience of the researcher on the enzymatic synthesis and functionalization of bio-based polyesters developed during his Masters and continued during his PhD, and to the deep knowledge of the host, Prof. James H. Clark developed during the last 30 years of work in the field of green chemical synthesis, post- polymerization functionalization strategies and sustainable bio-derived monomers, the overall CESBP project strategy will be successfully implemented. In order to develop such innovative materials, this proposal will use a multidisciplinary approach combining traditional polymer chemistry with novel sustainable and green synthetic routes. The described research will not only address sustainability, but also pursue the competitiveness of the produced polymers in terms of their superior technological and functional properties. Greener and environmentally-friendly chemical modifications of the isolated bio-plastics will be investigated targeting diverse structures and broaden potential applications. Innovations in the field of bio-plastics are a paradigm of the increasingly intimate integration between biotechnologies and sustainable chemistry, which responds to the pressing challenges of a circular economy.

Since over 50 years, both industry and academia have investigated the possibility to improve efficiency, selectivity and sustainability of industrial processes by developing suitable enzyme catalysts as competitive alternatives to traditional stoichiometric synthesis or metal-based catalysis. Some processes and products are nowadays already implemented in industry, but further work is needed in order to optimize and upscale a wide range of sustainable processes and products, especially in the field of bio-based plastics. In this work, the sustainable synthesis of functional, plant-derived plastics, which are not accessible by traditional chemical routes was developed. Polymers having highly controlled structures were synthesized using natural catalysts using a variety of building blocks obtainable from fermentative processes. These polymers were also chemically post- processed in a 2nd reaction step in order to produce innovative advanced materials with unique properties and targeted at a variety of applications. Finally, the synthesized and functionalized materials were recycled and/or upcycled therefore closing the materials carbon cycle. The materials and technologies developed in the frame of the CESBP project will be of further inspiration for the next generation of scientists and be of high relevance for todays society that urges to undergo a green plastic revolution in order to preserve the environment we all live in. Innovations in the field of bio-plastics are a paradigm of the increasingly intimate integration between biotechnologies and sustainable chemistry, which responds to the pressing challenges of developing a self-sustaining circular economy.