Our aim is to ensure the new biodegradable materials achieve equivalent performance benefits to the existing synthetic polymers. Currently, a large proportion of PLFs are based on acrylic polymers, which are derived from fossil resources and are not biodegradable. Nonetheless, their chemistry and properties have been refined and honed over 50 years by industry, with this technology set making up a noteworthy proportion of Croda’s product portfolio (>£200m). A step-change must happen now, to move into bioderived monomers that create biodegradable polymeric materials, which can be achieved using energy efficient and Green chemistry approaches. This is the overriding aim of our PP, where we aim to build an understanding of the relationship between structure, biodegradability and performance, allowing flexibility to tailor the technology set to optimise end use properties.
Our research programme will therefore focus on aligning three key elements:
- Discovery of novel bio-based monomers and polymers and identification of molecular architecture (WP1, WP2 & WP3)
- Performance and biodegradability screening (WP4)
- Optimisation and scale-up (WP5)
Please find the details of key elements divided into work packages below:
1. WP1 Monomers and Building Block Optimisation
Prof Rob Stockman (UoN) is leading WP1 and Prof Avtar S Matharu (UoY) and Prof Gideon Grogan (UoY) are contributing. Dr Amy Goddard and Dr Paul Hunt (Croda) are the key Croda links into WP1. This WP will develop new monomers from renewable feedstocks. In co-creating this proposal, we have identified the design of over 200 polymer combinations from a palette of monomers that could be developed through facile routes from renewable resources focusing on the below area:
· Exploiting Renewable Feedstocks via Chemical Modifications
· Biosynthesis/Biotransformation Approaches to New Monomers
2. WP2 Degradable Polymers from Polycondensation
Prof Steve Howdle (UoN) is leading WP2 and is supported by Dr Vincenzo Taresco (UoN), Prof Derek Irvine (UoN). Dr Amy Goddard and Dr Paul Hunt are also the key Croda links into WP2. Please see below the main objectives of WP2:
· Polymer Synthesis and End Capping
· Post-Polymerisation Modification (PPM) to Tailor Performance and Degradability
3. WP3 Degradable Polymers from Ring Opening (Co-)Polymerisation
Prof Helen Sneddon is currently leading WP3 and is supported by Dr Duncan Macquarrie (UoY). Dr Amy Goddard (Croda) and Taresco, Howdle and Irvine (UoN) are key links to WP3. Please see below the main objectives of WP3:
· Polyesters via Lactone ROP
· Polyesters via ROCOP
· Post-polymerisation Modification (PPM) to Tailor Performance and Biodegradability
· Greener Approaches to Polyester Synthesis
4. WP4 Performance and Degradability Screening
Dr Amy Goddard (Croda) is leading WP4 and is supported by Croda colleagues. They will link closely with Dr James Chong (UoY) to develop a deep understanding of biodegradability-structure relationships. Please see below the main objectives of WP4:
· Simple Performance Screening Tests
· Advanced Performance and Applications Screening
· Degradability
5. WP5 Scale-Up and Optimisation
Dr Ian Tooley (Croda) is leading WP5 and this WP will leverage expertise across our PP. Key to this is Prof Helen Sneddon (UoY), Howdle/Irvine (UoN) and Goddard (Croda) will all contribute strongly. Please see below the main objectives of WP4:
· Machine Learning (ML) Approaches to Optimise Monomer Synthesis and Polymerisations
· Monomer and Polymer Scale-Up
· Sustainability Assessments
Learn more about our team