PHA from Wastewater

Replacing microplastics; you'll only see it once you've understood it!

The harmful effects of microplastics on our environment are becoming increasingly clear. There is therefore growing attention to replacing fossil-based plastics with biodegradable alternatives (such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)). Investors are also showing more interest in these biological alternatives. However, to truly understand the business case and make it financing-ready, it is important to compare the benefits of bio-plastics against the full range of disadvantages of fossil plastics.

To take an integral view of this comparison, Invest-NL and the PHA2USE Consortium NORSUS (Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research) have been asked to conduct a Life Cycle Analysis exploration of four product groups to assess the (negative) impacts directly related to the formation of microplastics. Better understanding of these (negative) effects can help determine the potential advantages of biodegradable plastics. NORSUS has reviewed the literature on PHA and investigated microplastic issues within the following product groups: anti-weed film, geotextiles, controlled-release fertiliser pellets, and fishing ropes/netting. The report summarises the findings and shows, among other things, that biopolymers such as PHAs can eliminate the problems associated with fossil microplastics.