Projecttitel: High performance polymers based on starch
Projectnummer: BBE-1906
Looptijd: 2020 – 2021
Budget publiek: € 480.000
Budget privaat: € 480.000
Projectleider: Jacco van Haveren
Betrokken partijen: Wageningen University & Research

Full usage (total use) of agricultural biomass, including waste and side streams, is mandatory in order to achieve circular agronomic systems. A more balanced and diverse portfolio of food and non-food products is important for the starch processing industry in order to increase its overall economic viability. One possible outlet for new non-food starch based products is the synthesis of bio-based building blocks from agricultural side streams, that can be used to synthesize high performance renewable biopolymers. The growing demand for these renewable biopolymers is the drive for a green economy and a sustainable future, and creates opportunities for new, higher added value starch-based products and will therefore beneficially contribute to the overall economic viability of the agrifood sector.
WFBR has a long standing relation with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and developed together precompetitive technology in various projects, including projects co-funded by the Dutch Topsector AgriFood. WFBR and ADM have developed generic technology for the production of high performance isoidide (derived from starch) based polyesters that, judged from their thermal properties have the potential to be used in demanding applications.
The objective of this project is to explore more diverse polymers and obtain scientific insights on mechanical, gas barrier, fibre and film forming properties of the polymers and to explore their application potential in demanding applications like (food) packaging, food packaging coatings, textile fibres and industrial coatings.
Within this consortium project ADM is the intended producer of isoidide, whereas Holland Colours Apeldoorn is a potential user of the bio-based polymers produced. Becker Industrial Coatings will evaluate isoidide based products on its performance in industrial coatings, including automotive coatings, powder coatings and coil coatings for food packaging applications (tins and cans). RefrescoGerber will evaluate the high performance polymers on their suitability to be used in hot fill applications of beverages and coatings for food packaging as a contribution to increased food safety.