Welcome

CARbohydrate derived BIOpolymers – an innovative conversion strategy for vegetable by-products.

Principal object of CARBIO is the valorisation of carbohydrates derived from by-products of fruit and vegetable processing industry to be used as raw material for bio-based plastics. The main focus will be given to economical feasible procedures which comply with environmental and sustainability criteria. CARBIO will identify and characterise appropriate by-products containing sufficient carbohydrate fraction and will develop suitable pre-treatment and hydrolysis strategies using environmental friendly enzyme application. Obtained carbohydrates will be used as carbon source for fermentative production of PHB (Poly 3-Hydroxy Butyrate) and lactic acid. Polymerisation of monomer lactic acid will lead to PLA (Polylactic acid).

Afterwards, cellulosic nano-sized material obtained from by-products will be combined with PHB and PLA, functionalised and used as precursor for bio-based films for food application. Research will be accompanied by LCA (Life Cicle Analysis) and Economical Feasibility Study.