UK University Research Turning Waste Paper into Bioplastics

In the East of England the University of East Anglia’s Adapt Low Carbon Group is conducting research into a process which could lead to waste from paper milling, known as paper crumb, being turned into bioplastic. The research is being conducted in partnership with Kings Lynn, Norfolk based waste services brokerage firm, Network Waste, which has a client that produces up to 7000 tonnes of damp paper crumb waste per year at its mill that is currently spread to land. However, according to Network Waste this is an energy intensive process which in the first instance requires removal of large amounts of water. As such it asked the university’s Adapt Group to investigate whether a more sustainable commercial use could be found for paper crumb. “Working with Adapt allows us to tap into cutting edge academic research,” explained Network Waste national account manager, Stuart Towler. “We wanted to find out if there was some other use for the paper crumb rather than spreading it on the land,” he continued. “Similar waste is being produced by other paper milling operations and, as far as we are aware, little else is being done with it in the industry.” Not such a crumby idea According to the company, one of the possibilities that could be explored is the conversion of paper crumb into intermediates, which, among other things, can be used in the manufacturing process of bioplastic. Paper crumb is composed of very complex sugars and research is focused on their effective recovery and ways to turn them into a valuable commodity. Such sustainably obtained feedstocks are said to be of interest to the chemical industry. “We are investigating if the paper waste can be used as a source of substrates to be applied in the bio-based production of chemicals, which in turn would contribute to lowering the carbon footprint of the chemical industry,” said Dr Agnieszka Krzyzaniak, Adapt Group business innovation manager. “One of the possibilities that we are currently exploring is to turn paper waste into feedstock to be applied in the bio-based production of molecules which are the building blocks for bioplastics,” she continued. “Looking to use this bio-processed material in the chemical industry is a fine example of adding extra value to the paper waste. We believe that the sugars found in the paper waste can help to replace traditional processes based on fossil fuels,” added Krzyzaniak. But bioplastics are not the only option being investigated. According to the researchers the paper waste could also be used in the construction industry to be blended with concrete. “This is something which we see as a quick win because there are already companies doing this,” said Krzyzaniak. Ongoing partnership Network Waste added that while the partnership is in its infancy both sides are optimistic that it could make a significant impact on recycling in the paper industry. In addition to this project, the company said that is strengthening its links with the university by working with Adapt on research into evaluating vehicles movements in the waste management industry and by doing so improving the carbon disposal cycle. The brokerage added that it is also working towards setting up an informal partnership to consider providing a fully comprehensive environmental service. This would include carbon reporting (Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and the life cycle assessment) and waste management (compliance, waste reduction and waste strategy) for customers. Read More $50m Funding Opened up for Waste to Energy & High Value Products Project in Hawaii Gainesville, Florida based biotech firm, BioTork could receive special purpose revenue bonds not exceeding $50 million for an agricultural waste to high value products and biofuels facility in Hawaii. Could Transporting Waste in Pipelines Transform Bioenergy Economics? A scientist at the University of Alberta, Canada is research to determine whether it’s effective to use pipelines to transport agricultural waste used in biofuels. UDSA Backs 11,000 Additional Anaerobic Digestion Biogas Plants The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published a road map detailing how an additional 11,000 anaerobic digestion plants could create the huge emissions savings by using biogas to either produce energy from waste, or as transport fuel.