×

Dr. Thijs Bosker

"Nanoplastics are so small that they may enter the bloodstream, where they might affect our body. In addition, the additives plastics may be harmful to human health, but there is still significant unclarity about this."

Thijs Bosker is an expert on microplastics from the Institute of Environmental Science in Leiden. He is an associate professor that specializes in the impact of contaminants such as pharmaceuticals in wastewater, microplastics or oil residues on ecosystem health.

Interview insights

Thijs informed us that around 50% of the mass of plastics can be additives, and that these might leach off the plastic and have the potential to be harmful for human and environmental health. During our discussion we addressed what properties our PHA needs to have to be safe and fully biodegradable.

In addition, we received advice that gave insights on the entrepreneurial direction we could take our project in. We further considered the possibility of launching a start-up.

Lastly, with his expertise on microplastics, he also explained how we could make a difference on an environmental level. In addition, he pointed out that biodegradable plastics might also cause harm to organisms. Unfortunately, there has been very little research on this subject.

Integration

The biggest sink of plastics is land-based, so agricultural applications seemed like the ideal use of PHA. This interview confirmed our belief that agricultural plastics contribute significantly to plastic pollution and that, as a result, there is a clear need for our biodegradable plastic product.

×

RIVM

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and Environment, RIVM, is dedicated to the well-being of the community through scientific research, striving for a healthy society within a sustainable, safe, and health-conscious environment. [4] We got in contact with two experts from the RIVM; namely Petra Hogervorst, a senior policy advisor on biotechnology, and Mirjam Schuijff, working in the sustainability department on ‘Safe and Sustainable by Design’. This interview served as a basis for learning more about the necessity of bioplastics as an alternative to conventional plastics. In addition, it is important to know all regulations linked to our project, as well as potential permits that might be needed in order to execute it.

Interview insights

During the interview, we addressed a handful of relevant topics. Initially, we explained what our project is about and what we aim to do as the Phase Out iGEM team. We explained that we would be working with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), which in return led to a discussion on the opinion of the public on GMOs, the GMO legislation in the Netherlands, and the EU regulations.

Depending on our application they enlightened us about different regulations that apply. For example, regulations on plastic use in the food industry vary largely compared to those in the construction sector. They advised us to carefully think about the sectors where PHA is relevant. Sectors such as agriculture, or the medical sector were addressed extensively, and were compared on the potential applications that could fit within them.

The role of RIVM in the transition to a sustainable society was also brought forward. This dialogue quickly incorporated PHA, and the way in which PHA helps this transition.

Integration

Individuals involved in the scientific world use the term GMO frequently, but during out conversation it was brought to our attention that the public could have many concerns regarding GMOs. Therefore, it is high importance to address their concerns.

We were suggested to proceed with an application within the agricultural sector. Hence, we interviewed farmer Rinco de Koeijer to learn more about the needs of the farmers.

Lastly, Petra and Mirjam advised us to look further into circular plastics and circular economy, which led to interviewing Esther van den Beuken.

×

Michael Richardson

“Embryonic development is highly conserved throughout evolution, there is a high-level chance that these or similar embryonic malformations, as an effect of nanoplastics, will also occur in humans”

Michael Richardson is an expert in evolutionary developmental biology, and has been appointed to the van der Leeuw chair of evolutionary developmental biology since 2000. Richardson's most recent work focuses on the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on the growth of chicken embryos. Additionally he used to be the supervisor of famous Dutch TV star Freek Vonk who makes popular biology-related programs.

Interview insights

Richardson explained the dangers of nanoplastics on embryonic growth found by his research team. The nanoparticles led to malformations in chicken embryos far more serious than previously reported. Richardson brought two recent papers to our attention, the first the first showed that nanoplastics can reach the placenta⁵; the second showed that nanoparticles can get through the placenta wall to the embryo in mice⁶.

He showed us recent developments for using polystyrene nanoplastics as a drug-delivery device, and warned us against the potential dangers of using heterologous compounds as a drug-delivery device without very thorough research.

Integration

Richardson highlighted the possible risks of plastic on human health, and communicated to us the potential risks of plastic consumption for pregnant women. He emphasized that such risks are not proven and so there is no reason to be alarmist about it. If there were severe risks to the human embryo we would expect a huge increase in human malformations, but we haven't seen this. Nonetheless, this discouraged us from exploring the medical applications of PHA.

×

Prof. Dr. Anthony J. Sinskey

“It’s cost, cost, cost. Fundamentally biotechnology can do anything. Solve unbelievable problems. What it can’t do is economics. You have to focus on economics!”

“The ideal extraction is non solvent extraction. Currently, high value PHA for medical applications is extracted from ferments by hexane”

Dr Anthony J. Sinskey, Sc.D., is a Professor of Microbiology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He conducts interdisciplinary research in metabolic engineering focusing on the fundamental physiology, biochemistry and molecular genetics of important organisms. He has co-founded several successful biotechnology companies, received dozens of patents, and is widely published in the area of metabolomics and biopolymers. He has worked with and taught international experts across the field of microbiology.

Interview insights

During our interview, Dr Sinskey discussed in detail a variety of relevant topics. Of the mass feedstocks we discussed, C1 metabolites being integrated through the serine and glycine pathways were a highly interesting area, while areas like glucose for biofuels and hydrogen feedstock were not interesting due to safety and economic problems. His emphasis on the need for economic considerations was persuasive. He further indicated that “the driving force for cost (for making industrial chemicals) is feedstock and recovery”, using an illustration of the cost inefficiency of using sugars to create biofuels.

He also indicated what the key factors for PHA extraction are. Hot water extraction of PHA would produce low quantities of “brown” non crystalline PHA, while solvent extractions could produce high quality PHA for medical purposes at scale. Since we wanted to produce moderate quality but high quantity, this allowed us to pursue a non-solvent approach.

Integration

Dr Sinskey succinctly summarized the economic motivations behind different fundamental decisions for the type of biotechnological processes being employed. This supported our interest in methanol as a carbon source, and our attempts at improving extraction efficiency of bioplastics.

×

Markus Buchhaupt

“The main factor that could drive the industry to shift towards using methylotrophic bacteria like Methylobacterium extorquens for PHA production would be a significant shift towards using methanol as a feedstock instead of sugars.”

Markus Buchhaupt’s lab has done extensive research on methylotrophic bacteria, including M. extorquens. We consulted him on the suitability of this organism for large-scale production of PHA.

Interview insights

Markus informed us that there is currently limited industry interest in PHAs and that other organisms are preferred for PHA production over M. extorquens in the industry. The main factor that could drive the industry to shift towards using methylotrophic bacteria like Methylobacterium extorquens for PHA production would be a significant shift towards using methanol as a feedstock instead of sugars. Markus also noted that methanol is subject to price fluctuations but to a lesser extent than sugars. He also suggested looking into terpenes or acids as alternative products. These products are relatively easy to produce, have high value, and can be also released from the central metabolism. In some cases, only one or few genetic engineering steps are needed to produce them, making strain development time-efficient. Markus last mentioned that a delta CAR (carotenoid biosynthesis) mutation did not result in a major change in his hands, and he was not familiar with any phages specific to MEX.

Integration

Markus first informed us about bioreactor considerations. He advised us to be cautious of overfeeding bacteria with methanol and ensure control measures are in place. This led us to ensure we used a 0.5 percent methanol concentration in all experiments, given at fixed time points. See the lab page for further details on these methods.

Additionally, Markus advised us to use a strain without functional cellulose synthase genes, as this prevents formation of biofilm. We incorporated this advice by ensuring the strain we selected for cloning had this feature. Read more about our selected strain on our engineering page .

×

Dr. Lennart Schada von Borzyskowski

“Testing different native enzymes is for your project the best way of making your organism produce more PHA.”

Lennart Schada von Borzyskowski is an Assistant Professor at the Leiden Institute of Biology, which is associated with Leiden University. As a part of the Microbial Sciences cluster, he specializes in engineering heterologous metabolic pathways in various microorganisms, including M. ex. Our team consulted him on the best methods for engineering M. ex and increasing PHA production.

Interview insights

During our interview with Dr. Schada von Borzyskowski, we discussed several topics that we integrated into our project:

Cloning strategies

During discussions about which cloning strategies would be most suitable for our lab goals, we discussed multiple options with ease of use and best results in mind. The different cloning options included Restriction Cloning, Modular Cloning and Golden Gate Assembly.

Promoters

As we wanted to create an inducible autolysis system, it was key to know what different types of promoters would be suitable to achieve this. The promoter needed to have minimal leakiness and high expression after induction.

PHA synthases

For increasing PHA yield, our team was contemplating whether we should consider expressing heterologous PHA synthases in Methylobacterium. We were advised that the native gene had the best chance of increasing PHA yield, but that it would be interesting to look into heterologous genes as well.

Carotenoid knockout

To redirect energy from the carotenoid pathway to PHA production, our goal was to knock out multiple genes within the carotenoid pathway. However, we were debating which genes in this pathway would be the best targets. We consulted dr. Schada von Borzyskowski on his opinion in this matter and he elaborated that not all carotenoid genes have been studied in M. extorquens. He advised us to research the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway in other organisms and do a blast search on homology.

Integration

We discussed the different cloning options during the interview, and he advised us to use Gibson Assembly, as this method has been verified in Methylobacterium. We consequently implemented Gibson Assembly in the cloning methods for our research lines . We also discussed the aspects of different promoters during the interview and learned there was a set of promoters suitable for induction with IPTG, as described in (paper). As these promoters have never been characterized within iGEM, we decided to test these for Methylobacterium extorquens. This is described more in detail on the engineering page . Based on Lennart’s advice on PHA syntases, we prioritized overexpressing the native phaC gene during our lab time [lab page]. We lastly included Dr. Schada von Borzyskowski’s advice to dive into the literature on the topic of carotenoid biosynthesis pathways in other organisms, and we included this information in our model .

×

Dr. Nico Claassens

“Methanol is a viable alternative within the hydrogen bio-economy.”

Nico Claassens is an expert in the sustainable production of carbon-based products using biotechnology. Within the Microbial Synthetic Metabolism group at Wageningen University, he focuses on designing and engineering synthetic pathways to support the efficient use of next-generation, sustainable feedstocks such as methanol.

Interview insights

Nico discussed his experience in bioproduction, particularly in relation to Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) like PHB. He mentioned working with hydrogen as a feedstock, highlighting its energy efficiency compared to methanol. However, they also noted the complexities and costs associated with hydrogen use.

Because it is simple to store and use, methanol was thought to be a promising feedstock. However, electricity costs must be considered because they are often the most expensive component. He emphasized the substantial investment required for hydrogen-based production, making methanol a more feasible short-term option.

Nico also explored using formic acid as a feedstock and identified a more efficient metabolic pathway than the Calvin cycle. He suggested using genetic engineering and medium adjustments to maximize PHA content.

Scaling up production presents challenges, such as methanol's volatility, the need for continuous monitoring, and potential toxicity to microbes. Analytical techniques like HPLC were mentioned for monitoring methanol concentration and quantifying PHAs.

The interview concluded that there is industry interest in alternative feedstocks for PHA production, but cost remains a significant concern.

Integration

According to Nico we should evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of using different feedstocks, such as hydrogen, methanol, or formic acid, based on the energy efficiency and safety considerations as discussed in the interview. For scaling-up our PHA production we should take into account the challenges and considerations mentioned for scaling up, such as the volatility of methanol and the need for continuous monitoring. He also recommends using a more efficient pathway for PHA production and knocking out competing pathways for more efficient production.

×

Earl Goetheer

“The traditional method of methanol production involves direct hydrogenation, with conversion rates typically limited to 20-25%. The cost-effectiveness of this process is heavily influenced by the price of hydrogen and the scale of production.

Earl Goetheer works as a professor at the TU Delft, specializing in electrochemical conversion of CO₂ to chemicals. He is an expert in chemical engineering and process technology with experiences of working in the corporate world at companies such as TNO. There he worked on the development of CO₂ capture.

Interview insights

Earl gave us various valuable insights on the factors that influence the pricing of methanol. Alkaline electrolysis, for instance, is relatively straightforward but incurs costs that hinge on the duration of operation and the price of renewable electricity. Current large scale alkaline electrolysis processes for example cost approximately 9 euros per kilogram of hydrogen, making it a rather expensive option. Regions with high electricity prices, such as the Netherlands, face higher costs compared to areas with lower electricity prices, like Saudi Arabia, where hydrogen production may cost as little as 2-3 euros per kilogram. For our entrepreneurship, this means we have to take local production prices into account, and may want to outsource certain processes to different countries.

Integration

Earl suggested that we explore the various methods for methanol production, including direct hydrogenation and electrochemical conversion from CO₂ and hydrogen. Also, we should evaluate the costs associated with different feedstocks for methanol production, such as grey methanol (from coal or methane) and biogenic methanol (from biogas).The possibility of capturing CO₂ from waste sources and the associated costs could also be taken into account. Analyzing different techniques for producing hydrogen is also important, particularly electrolysis of water with PEM or alkaline technology. We should consider factors like the price of renewable electricity when evaluating the cost implications of hydrogen production. The composition of the produced methanol, including byproducts like CO and dimethyl ether, as well as their effects on subsequent processes and microbial utilization, should also be taken into account.

×

Alberto Pettinau

“The key problem is that the cost of renewable methanol is typically 2 to 3 times higher than the conventional market price of fossil-derived methanol.”

Interview insights

The reaction for methanol production is relatively easy as methanol is created by combining Hydrogen and CO₂.

In terms of commercializing methanol, the key problem is that the cost of renewable methanol is typically 2 to 3 times higher than the conventional market price of grey methanol. The main advantages of producing green methanol are related to environmental impacts instead of economics. In that regard, it is still far from competitive.

However, when defining the production cost of grey methanol, using the same conversion as for hydrogen i.e. fossil derived methanol, the difference in price between green and grey methanol is lower when adding the costs related to the emissions trading. This trend aligns with the new regulations which are going in that direction in order to make green methanol competitive with fossil-derived methanol fossil-derived methanol.

Integration

The knowledge we gained about the catalytic process, such as catalyst optimization and the ongoing development and testing phases at various scales, should be taken into account. Understanding the economic landscape, safety aspects, and regulatory compliance associated with green methanol production will also be crucial. Additionally, keeping in mind market pricing trends, environmental concerns, and scaling-up difficulties may help us make business-wise decisions.

×

Yvonne van Delft and Marija Sarić

“At this time the use of green methanol is not yet feasible at large scale.”

Yvonne van Delft is senior project manager and an expert in energy transition projects such as the production and use of hydrogen. Marija Sarić is a researcher, with an interest in the transition towards a CO₂ neutral industry.

Interview insights

During the interview, Yvonne and Marija explained that obtaining sustainable CO₂ is difficult, as it is often sourced from geothermal wells or biomass. The alternative would be direct air capture, however, the technology is still in development and the overall process costs a lot of energy.

They further brought our attention to the coupled gas and electricity prices not only in the Netherlands, and also in the whole of Europe. This poses a problem as it makes electrolysis costly. The price of green hydrogen, among other factors, is determined by the cost of electricity.

Integration

We should determine the ideal purity level of methanol for our bacterial processes, considering cost savings and impurities that could affect our PHA production. Our decision-making will also be influenced by our comprehension of the opportunities and problems associated with the production of green methanol, including scalability and sustainable CO₂ sourcing. Regional factors like electricity costs in the Netherlands and the potential effects of importing eMethanol from areas with cheap electricity should also be taken into account

The Bio-Safety officers (BSO)

To read everything we learned from the HSE department, visit the Safety page .

×

Dr. Erika Tsingos

You can read more about the integration of the interview with Erika Tsingos on the Modeling page .

×

Jonathan Salt-Waninge

“I would avoid lysing your cells inside the bioreactor because the PHA could become very diluted and contaminated.”

Jonathan Salt is an expert in PHA production and has multiple years of experience running several PHA-related research projects at Ecoras. Most of his research is related to PHA applications and PHA production based on mixed microbial culture with waste streams. In his team with Ecoras, Jonathan has been involved in the development of PHAs for use in the injection moulding sector, and in the development of the WadKop, a PHA-based alternative to plastic coffee-food transport items.

Interview insights

Jonathan explained to us the important differences between different biodegradable plastics. He showed us that PLA is the most well-developed biobased biodegradable plastic, however, in contrast to PHA, it does not actually biodegrade in most natural environments. He recommended focusing on specifically PHA when producing a biobased biodegradable plastic: In Methylobacteria, 80% of the dry weight can be PHA, it is biodegradable in natural environments and it has very good biocompatibility.

(Quote): “While your approach may not be immediately scalable, it's worth noting that, to my knowledge, it hasn't been attempted before, and I can't foresee any complications that you might encounter by pursuing this route.”

He explained that extraction of PHA is by far the step that requires the most energy and that using solvent-based extraction is currently the most promising extraction method for large-scale PHA production. He advised us on making the process as simple as possible and to avoid doing any unnecessary genetic modifications, since the easier a process is, the easier it is scalable.

(Quote): “My advice for scaling up is: the easier the method, the easier you can scale it up. That doesn’t necessarily mean a more complex method is not possible, but it's just more difficult.”

Integration

He highlighted the importance of choosing PHA as the biodegradable plastic to produce. He also brought up the difficulties of setting up a sustainable solvent-based extraction protocol. He lastly raised important questions we should consider, like “If we lyse the cells, won’t the PHA just dilute into the reactor and subsequently be harder to extract?”

×

Moritz Bross-Koch

“Consider optimizing the carbon flux to our product instead of the other way around.”

Moritz Bross-Koch is passionate about applying biotechnology for a more sustainable world. He is an expert in metabolic engineering and physiology of photosynthetic bacteria.

Interview insights

A prevalent challenge within the PHA/PHB field is the pressing need to enhance the PHA extraction process. Therefore, we reached out to Moritz Bross, who during our conversation emphasized the complexity of the extraction process and suggested incorporating a washing step using ethanol or acetate, potentially improving our purification process. He also advised optimizing carbon flux toward our product, a strategy we have since integrated into our project. Moreover, Moritz shared his perspective on commercializing PHA-based products, emphasizing the inherent challenges in replacing conventional plastics. This interview was important for refining our project strategy, ensuring we tackle the extraction and purification hurdles effectively and highlighting the significance of optimized carbon flux in our PHA production pathway.

Integration

We learned from the interviewee's experiences with extraction and purification methods and explored the feasibility of adopting similar approaches on a large scale. Additionally, the interview sheds light on pathway selection and emphasizes the importance of optimizing carbon flux for PHA production efficiency. The goals of our project are in line with the notion of biosafety and the development of PHA-producing strains. We could also use the comprehensive pathway in Moritz's paper as a guide. The interview highlights the difficulties in commercializing PHA-based products and provides helpful advice on downstream processing.

×

Jelmer Tamis

Jelmer Tamis currently works on waste-based bioplastic production and is also working on several side projects related to sustainable business development

Interview insights

Jelmer was interviewed to gain insights into optimizing our PHA process.

Integration

The interview with Jelmer was very beneficial to our extraction strategy, ensuring alignment with the goals of our project. As part of our proactive approach to increase the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of our PHA product, we consulted Jelmer. We will be using his advice on the PHA process to improve our future experiments.

×

Stéfan Ellenbroek

“Hiring interns is essential for the further development of your product.”

Stéfan is the program director of unlock_, an incubator providing startup support, structure, programs, networks and everything you need to turn an idea into a product . His work follows the connections between research and finance in the life sciences.

Interview insights

The interview with Stéfan led to an insightful discussion about how to navigate an upcoming start-up. He was able to provide us with experience and expertise on what we needed to do to build a convincing case for our product. We also discussed what we still had to do after the iGEM grand jamboree to properly set up a small company. He gave us the following steps to incorporate into a production price & profit margin calculation: Base the initial calculations on lab production. What is the efficiency rate of our production and how much loss that entails. What would employees cost? Is the iGEM team willing to work in their spare time to cut costs? We should consider our affiliations with other universities/companies that have the materials and facilities we need for upscaling e.g. DSM campus Delft for industrial production. He also suggested we promote our PHA for 3D printed modeling as an alternative application since the PHA can biodegrade, failed models could simply be composted.

Integration

When calculating our production price & profit margin, he advised us to only calculate in bulk, so 1000kg upwards, which we incorporated into our financial timeline and overall viability of our project.

×

Marjolein Crooijman

"Ask yourselves: Would you be willing to pay a little more for your product to support a better environment?"

Marjolein is a PhD researcher at the Institute of Biology in Leiden. In her research, she focuses on cell-wall deficient cells to advance treatment strategies against these bacteria. She has her own online blog called ‘mcsynbio’, and she is co-founder and chair of SynBioNL which is an association connecting academia and industry in the field of synthetic biology. Her engagement with iGEM's EPIC Entrepreneurship program and helping iGEM startups set up a business was a big help to us when structuring our business plan.

Interview insights

Marjolein advised us to speak to potential customers and companies making/selling PHA.

She also advised on how to make a convincing case when pitching our project. We incorporated her feedback in the structuring of our arguments, starting with positive points about our PHA to gain momentum and present as much of the information we have as possible into graphs, figures and illustrations.

Integration

The advice of speaking to potential customers and companies helped us put a price on the PHA PHAse Out would sell in the future. Based on the willingness to pay, current sales trends of PHA, plastics and bioplastics we made the timeline for our PHAse Out start-up.

×

Rinco de Koeijer

“Even if it degrades more quickly than desired and even if it costs more, I would still purchase your PHA product because it is environmentally friendly and leaves no trace of plastic.”

Rinco is a farmer from the south of the Netherlands that focuses on growing potatoes, onions, carrots, and beans.

Interview insights

Our PHA would need specific features for farmers to buy them. Ideally, a mulch film would have to last an entire season, so it should not degrade too fast depending on what crop is used. He said that if the mulch film was cheaper than regular plastic films, he would definitely buy them, out of ecological awareness. Although, if the mulch films made from PHA were more expensive, but had a lower carbon footprint and left behind no microplastics in the soil, he would also opt for the PHA films. He also mentioned the convenience of having films that biodegrade as it would remove the effort of collecting the films at the end of a season. Similarly, irrigation systems (in the form of plastic T-tapes) are collected after one season. Rinco emphasized the potential of making a biodegradable T-tape irrigation system, as the current perforated plastic pipes are supposed to be collected and reused, but that they usually get thrown away. Additionally, we could look into making plastic straps to bend branches of trees or tie them, as nobody removes those from the trees. We also learned that there are no real laws or policies concerning plastics in agriculture and that we should talk to one of the biggest fertilizer producers: YARA, a fertilizer company based in the NL that we then contacted.

Integration

We integrated the feedback mainly by adjusting our business plan and reaffirming that there actually is a need for our product. It was also reaffirmed that stakeholders would actually interested in our PHA products.

×

Dr. Anne Land-Zandstra

“Measuring the Impact of Scientific Research is different from measuring the Impact of Science Communication."

Dr. Anne Land-Zandstra her research focuses on authenticity in informal science education in two areas: real objects in museums and citizen science. She is also leading research on the impact of science communication.

Interview insights

During the interview, we learned the importance of measuring both the impact of our scientific research and our science communication efforts separately. Anne emphasized the need for clear objectives, avoiding overwhelming our audience, and integrating impact measurement into our project events through surveys and interactive activities. Furthermore, Anne emphasized the value of keeping a logbook to document our interactions with people to improve our engagement strategies. Her guidance on seeking input from industry partners and utilizing interviews as a focused feedback mechanism has undoubtedly improved our project's development. Overall, Anne's expertise has been valuable in shaping our project's communication strategy and impact assessment, making sure that we effectively convey the importance of our sustainable plastic production solution.

Integration

Anne's insights on survey design, such as using specific questions and post-event reflections, helped us refine our approach to gathering meaningful feedback from participants. This was put into practice during the NGL lecture's public engagement activity, where we collected the attendees opinions and surveyed whether we had changed their opinions on synthetic biology and our project after the lecture. You can read more about this activity and our interaction with the attendees on the Public Engagement page .

×

Karin Molenveld

“To promote the market uptake of PHAs in the future, it's crucial to identify early adopters and potential markets that can benefit from PHA's unique properties.

Karin Molenveld is programme manager at Wageningen BioBased Research. She aims for a new plastics economy in which plastics are efficiently produced from renewable feedstock, are recyclable, and do not accumulate in nature. She develops strategies, projects, new technologies, and products that fit within these ambitions and support industries and governments.

Interview insights

In this interview, we learned about the unique challenges and advantages of PHA materials, including their biodegradability and diverse properties. Additionally, the discussion on the PHA patent landscape highlighted the need for a comprehensive market analysis and a dual approach to identifying market segments and potential customers

Integration

The interview with Karin was important for guiding our project's direction, helping us understand the potential market segments, and the importance of mechanical performance in various applications. Integrating these insights, we were able to improve our project strategy and focus on key applications within agriculture where PHA plastics can make a significant impact while considering the competitive landscape.

×

Dr. Soňa Kontárová and Dr. Přikryl Radek

“PHA-based products are currently too expensive, but they will soon become attractive as PHA is biodegradable and the EU is banning regular plastics in fertilizers in 2024.”

Soňa Kontárová and Přikryl Radek are both assistant professors and scientists at the Institute of Materials Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry at Brno University of Technology.

Interview insights

Our interviewees highlighted the potential for reducing soil pollution through the use of PHA-coated fertilizers. In terms of broader applications for PHA, we focused on its use in cosmetics, fibers, biomedicine, and cell scaffolds. Importantly, we recognized that PHA should be used selectively and specifically when a biodegradable polymer is necessary. While PHA products are currently cost-prohibitive, they offer a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, especially in industries facing impending bans on non-biodegradable materials. We also learned about the distinct characteristics and potential of other polymer members of the PHA family (e.g., PHB (polyhydroxybutyrate)) and the growing trend of utilizing PHA in biomedicine and cell scaffold applications, including 3D printing. Overall, our interviewee's expertise provided us with a comprehensive understanding of the applications and advantages of PHA in various sectors. This knowledge has been integrated into our project strategy, reinforcing our commitment to producing environmentally friendly PHA for agriculture while staying informed about broader trends and opportunities in the field.

Integration

This interview helped us realize that PHA should only be used in certain situations when a biodegradable polymer is required. We also learned about the various applications that our PHA can be used for, and we incorporated this knowledge into our project by looking into how each application affects the reduction of microplastics. In general, the knowledge we obtained from the interview has been integrated into our project strategy, reinforcing our commitment to producing environmentally friendly PHA for agriculture while staying informed about broader trends and opportunities in the field.

×

Thinagaran Letchimanan and Shaik Ling Ang

“Fertilizers with PHA as the coating material have about the same performance as current fertilizers, though it does vary based on the specific fertilizer being coated.”

Thinagaran Letchimanan and Shaik Ling Ang are scientists at the Eco Biomaterial Research Laboratory in Malaysia. They have both conducted research on PHA synthesis and its potential applications.

Interview insights

This interview provided us with a deeper understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of PHA-coated fertilizers, emphasizing their environmentally friendly nature and potential to reduce nutrient leaching. We learned that while PHA-coated fertilizers may have a higher production cost initially, advancements in PHA technology could make them competitive in the long run. Additionally, we received guidance on choosing the appropriate type of PHA for our coating process. The experts’ perspective reaffirmed our belief that PHA has the potential to revolutionize agriculture by reducing plastic waste and nutrient runoff, aligning perfectly with the global shift towards sustainability. The interview also assured us that there are no significant environmental risks associated with PHA-coated fertilizers.

Integration

We took these considerations into account as we worked on our project and looked into ways to successfully apply PHA coatings while keeping an eye on how the PHA industry's production costs and technology were changing.

×

Jesse Hiemstra

Jesse Hiemstra works as a senior account manager at Happy Cups. Happy Cups is a company that produces reusable hardcups made from PHA. They are mainly focussed on festivals and companies that are committed to sustainability.

Interview insights

In this interview we gained critical insights into the properties and potential applications of PHA and PLA (Polylactic Acid) materials. We learned about the unique attributes of PHA, such as its high melting point and bacterial degradation, as well as the challenges and considerations related to its use in various products. Also, considerations regarding the challenges of recycling, waste management, and sustainable sourcing of materials were explored. For our project, Jesse's knowledge of sustainable materials and their market dynamics was extremely helpful.

Integration

The meeting helped us gain a deeper understanding of the properties of PHA and allowed us to use this when considering applications for our project. This helped guide us toward environmentally friendly and effective solutions for agricultural plastic needs. Additionally, the discussion highlighted the importance of sustainable practices and consumer awareness in driving the adoption of eco-friendly materials.

×

Esther van den Beuken

“Circularity is crucial for reducing CO₂, reducing microplastics and reducing litter.

Esther van den Beuken works as principal consultant on circular plastics at TNO. She is committed to accelerating the transition to the use of circular plastics and has a clear vision of how those goals can be achieved.

Interview insights

In this interview, we gained a comprehensive understanding of the significance of circularity in addressing plastic-related challenges, particularly the reduction of CO₂ emissions, the mitigation of microplastics, and the reduction of litter and waste in the environment. Esther's perspective highlighted the complexities of biodegradable materials and the importance of considering biodegradability in specific product applications, such as agricultural films. Furthermore, her insights underscored the need for true pricing mechanisms, incentives, and government regulations to promote circularity on a larger scale.

Integration

We have integrated this knowledge into our project by emphasizing not only the environmental benefits of PHA plastics but also their role in advancing circularity and sustainability in agriculture and beyond. This was mainly promoted through our outreach efforts.

×

Rob Verhagen

Rob Verhagen is a business change leader with a diverse background in sustainability, health and wellbeing, marketing, and various other departments. He is involved with translating external trends into internal strategies for companies.

Interview insights

Our interview with Rob Verhagen was important for shaping our project and application strategy. Rob provided invaluable insights into the application of PHA and biodegradable plastics in various industries. We learned that the EU regulations banning single-use plastics present a significant opportunity for PHA adoption. He emphasized the importance of finding suitable applications for PHA and highlighted its biodegradability underwater, a distinguishing feature from other bioplastics such as PLA.

Integration

By concentrating on PHA applications in sustainable agriculture, we were able to incorporate this knowledge into our project. We also considered Rob's advice on promoting no packaging as the most sustainable option and looked at different blends of plastics for various lifespans and biodegradability. His advice on the characteristics of PHA, UV degradation, and industrial scalability has shaped our choice on the application of PHA for agricultural use. Rob's expertise has played a crucial role in ensuring that our project aligns with sustainable practices and has provided us with a comprehensive understanding of the broader PHA market.

×

Prof. Dr. Han de Winde

“There will always be a need for biodegradable plastics. Even just the fact that PE, PVC, PC are very difficult to break down, and that its degradation will be a costly process, creates the demand for easily degradable plastic.”

Prof. Dr. Han de Winde has been a professor of industrial biotechnology since 2002, he has a thorough background in both organic chemistry and microbial molecular biotechnology. He has combined his expertise and spent the last years researching and developing enzymes involved in degrading conventional plastics. He is experienced in iGEM through several years of supervising firstly the Delft, and later the Leiden team.

Interview insights

In this interview we learned about different ways people are tackling the plastic problem. De Winde explained that even if all systems for plastic waste collection and plastic degradation will be optimized, there is and will be a huge demand for sustainable biodegradable plastics. He also provided us with valuable suggestions for developing our strain after iGEM, such as directed evolution for methanol resistance and robust methylotrophic organisms to transfer our metabolic pathway to, if M. extorquens turns out non-feasible for industrial scale cultivation. More about this can be read on our Entrepreneurship page .

Integration

De Winde’s insights in the ever existing demand for biodegradable plastics substantiated our hypothesis for the demand of PHA. We also integrated the insights of de Winde in our plans for research and development [Entrepreneurship] for our strain after iGEM.

×

xx

Interview insights

x

x

xxx

Integration

xxx