RENEW

RENEW - Resource recovery of the future: water reuse for new bioplastics with tunable lifespan

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Description

RENEW develops a sustainable process to produce biodegradable PHA bioplastics from urban treated wastewater using cyanobacterial microbiomes. The approach eliminates aeration, uses light and CO₂ as resources, and requires minimal organic substrates. PHA will be engineered for customizable lifespan by embedding spore-forming degraders.

Objectives

Achieve >50% PHA yield with stable cyanobacteria cultures and UF-based biomass concentration.
Apply omics to optimize metabolic pathways.
Develop green PHA extraction using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents.
Create bioplastics with tunable biodegradability.
Assess micropollutant safety and full sustainability.

Impact

RENEW introduces a groundbreaking process that uses photosynthetic microorganisms in treated wastewater, reducing energy demand by ~50% compared to conventional heterotrophic systems, minimizing substrate needs, and avoiding high-quality water. The project aligns with Water4All SRIA Theme I.II, the European Green Deal, and the Circular Economy Action Plan, contributing to SDGs 6, 9, 12, and 17.

Interested in the project?
Contact with joan.garcia@upc.edu

Funded by: Water4All — Joint Transnational Call 2024: “Water for Circular Economy”

Duration: December 2025 – November 2028