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. Therefore, more and more attention is being paid to replacing fossil-based plastics with biodegradable alternatives (such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)). Investors are also showing growing interest in these biological alternatives. However, to truly understand the business case and make it financeable, it is important to compare the benefits of bio-plastics against the full range of disadvantages of fossil plastics.

To comprehensively assess this comparison, Invest-NL and the PHA2USE Consortium asked NORSUS (Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research) to conduct a Life Cycle Analysis exploration of four product groups to evaluate the (negative) effects directly related to the formation of microplastics. Better and more insights into these (negative) effects assist in determining the potential advantages of biodegradable plastics. NORSUS reviewed the literature on PHA and examined the microplastics issues in the following product groups: weed control film, geotextiles, controlled-release fertiliser granules, and fishing nets/lines. The report summarises the findings and shows, among other things, that biopolymers such as PHAs can eliminate the problems associated with fossil microplastics.