BUP39 - EnzyCycle

With an annual production of 14.3 million tons in Germany, plastics are widely used in industries such as packaging, construction and automotive. Fiber composites are particularly important in the automotive sector, but are difficult to recycle. For this reason, an innovative solution is needed. Within the project EnzyCycle, Microorganisms are used to degrade (natural) fiber composites, and the degradation products are to be recycled in a circular economy. This approach offers the possibility of an environmentally friendly, innovative recycling method for (natural) fiber composites and is a further step towards green mobility.

Aim

The aim of this project is to investigate the degradation of (natural) fiber composites by microorganisms. By cultivating certain bacteria/fungi in the presence of (natural) fiber composites, it will be investigated to what extent these are degraded by the microorganisms and what degradation products are produced. The decomposition into degradation products should enable the return into a circular economy.

Approach

• Cultivation of microorganisms with fiber composites (nutrient source)

• Analysis of the degradation products

• Investigation of the recycling options of the degradation products 

• Protein analyses to identify involved enzymes

Benefit

The use of microorganisms provides an innovative way of recovering valuable materials from waste. This promotes an effective circular economy, minimizes raw material consumption and helps companies, for example in the automotive industry, to operate more sustainably and cost-efficiently.