Producing PHAs in the bioeconomy — Towards a sustainable bioplastic

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) can reduce pollution caused by the increasing global polymer demand. Although industrial production of PHAs grew rapidly in the past years, their total market share is still marginal. While this is often attributed to their higher price, which is mainly caused by high production costs, the industrial success of PHAs can also depend on policy framework. Environmental assessment tools such as life cycle analysis and the product environmental footprint showed that PHAs can contribute to greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, waste reduction as well as green jobs and innovation in the biotechnology sector. As many countries aspire to these targets under the umbrella of bioeconomy concepts, inclusion into the respective policies can stimulate industrial PHA production. With a high variability in the industrial production of PHAs in terms of feedstock, energy source, polymer properties etc., the choice of optimization criteria influences the design of new production processes. Considering the political targets for bioeconomy products is therefore useful to direct the technical design of sustainable PHA production, for example in integrated lignocellulose biorefineries.