Funded R&D Projects

BIZENTE

Apply ligninases to resolve end-of-life issues of thermoset composite plastics


Plastic waste is one of the main threats to our ecosystems. While the massive presence of plastic bags in the seas and natural areas has raised public awareness of the need to restrict their use, there are other types of plastic-based wastes, as thermoset composite materials, that haven't found a final valorisation yet. Especially this kind of composite materials are used in the field of railway, construction, automotive, energy, electronics or sport equipment, where at their end-of-life they cause harmful footprint on the environment and public health because of dumped in the landfills awaiting measurements of valorisation or incineration. For instance, in the aeronautical industry alone, we find over 12,000 aircraft about to be withdrawn from service after reaching their final use, made up of between 50% and 70% of composite materials.


Starting from this environmental issue, the Bizente project rises to the sustainability and circular economy challenges the EU face as its technology will be able to break down at least 27.5% of the total amount of thermoset composite waste. Thus, Bizente project develops technology to achieve the controlled biodegradation of thermoset composite materials by means of enzymes. This innovative solution entails expanding the bio-catalytic process to a new type of feedstock: three thermoset resins (epoxy, polyester and vinylester) that have not previously been involved in the value chain of plastics.


See the video

Consortium


A unique consortium coordinated by AITIIP, which consists of 10 partners from 5 different European countries. The consortium includes 3 research institutes and 7 different companies that are leaders in composite materials and enzymatic technologies.



More information: 
bizente.eu – Arianna Andreotti 

https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/886567/it

Program: H2020-BBI

Duration: 01/05/2020 - 30/04/2024

Coordinator: AITIIP


This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 886567.