Integrating fermentation processes for waste to chemical production

Industrial biotechnology is a key technology in achieving net zero and circular economy goals. One method is through the use of fermentation to produce valuable products, whether it is bio-based chemicals and materials, or food. For fermentation to be a truly valuable technology, “waste-based” feedstocks need to be used. However, utilisation of organic waste complicates the fermentation process requiring extensive pre-treatment or the use of very specific, non-standard microorganisms which increases the cost of the process and complicates the strain development required to produce the desired product. This project investigates the integrated process of converting organic waste to polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). PHA is a biobased, biodegradable biopolymer that can be used in many industries, including as a packaging material. The are many reported biological routes of production, including pure and mixed culture processes. This project will investigate the pure culture production route, developing and optimising a continuous process with integrated fermentation steps to maximise productivity. This will include establishing a process baseline based on current process routes, understanding the key interacting variables between unit operations, and implementing the overall integrated process at lab scale.