Multiple research teams nationwide, including at Purdue University, are developing bioplastics made from biomaterials such as corn. The effort has been ongoing for the past six months, with the goal of developing more sustainable plastics that are both recyclable and more durable.
Karthik Sankaranarayanan, an assistant professor at Purdue, stated that the team is focusing on formulations that can withstand higher temperatures and be produced in smaller sizes. He added that these bioplastics are designed to be broken down into raw materials for reuse, offering an alternative to conventional plastics that often end up in landfills.
The collaboration originated from a conference in Washington, D.C., where researchers from various institutions shared expertise. Purdue’s team specializes in enzyme research and recipe development, while others contribute in areas such as fermentation, protein design, and robotic platforms. The combined efforts aim to facilitate the scaling of bioplastic production.
One doctoral student involved in the project, Ryan Griffiths, is working on computational models to identify optimal reaction pathways among millions of possibilities. His work involves data analysis and coding, supporting efforts to refine the production process.
The research aims to produce a recyclable bioplastic using sugars derived from corn, with future potential to utilize carbon dioxide. The approach relies on enzymes to carry out chemical reactions, which may reduce the need for harsh chemicals and metals typically used in manufacturing.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, over 26 million tons of plastic were disposed of in landfills in 2018, with many plastics remaining unrecyclable.
