The first industrial project for the production of bioplastics and biopolymers from CO2 (carbon dioxide) and waste from agrifood supply chains is born in Italy. The ecological revolution under the banner of combating climate change andcircular economy. Viva!
Carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, how to counter climate change
CO2, carbon dioxide
, is the main component of gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect (so-called greenhouse gases
) and pose one of the most serious threats to the survival of the planet.
International studies shared at the United Nations reveal-beyond any doubt or ‘denialist’ thesis-the current situation of serious danger to the health of the environment. Also pointing to the need to take awide range of actions now to combat climate change
. Stop deforestation t
ture, review industrial processes with a view to sustainability (starting with energy sources), promote thecircular economy
andorganic farming.
.
The scenario
is complex and requires everyone’s attention as well as commitment. In agriculture
and industry, as in politics and everyday consumer choices, the responsibility is as much as shared. And words are not enough, commitments need to materialize to prevent even the
Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs)
adopted by the UN do not repeat the fiasco of the
Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs).
Lux-on, the Italian plant that sequesters CO2 from the atmosphere to produce biodegradable bioplastics
The project of
Lux-on
– a company formed by Bio-on, a bioplastics producer, and the Hera Group-is based on an innovative technology to capture CO2 from the atmosphere to extract the carbon needed to produce biopolymers and thus natural, 100 percent biodegradable bioplastics.
The new technology
, developed over 2 years of research by scientists in Italy and the U.S., draws gas from the atmosphere through large fans placed several meters high. Biopolymers are then made by adding other raw materialsalready used to produce the bioplastic. By-products of the agribusiness chain, mostly. Residues from beet and sugarcane molasses, fruit and potato wastes, spent frying oils, glycerol and other carbon sources in general.
The bioplastics PHAs
(polyhydroxyalkanoates) developed by Bio-on are made from renewable plant sources that do not compete with food supply chains. And they will be able to replace several traditional polymers, hitherto obtained from hydrocarbons and petrochemicals, due to comparable thermo-mechanicalproperties .
PHA-CEL
, a second line
of development, aims to employ other sustainable by-products-such as mowing and pruning, which Hera collects in the amount of 200k tons/year-in the production of new biopolymers. In fact, enzymatic treatments allow cellulose to be transformed into sugars in the fermentation step that is the basis of the process.
Lux-on, eco-logic revolution at the starting ribbon
The laboratories and the first plant
ofLux-on, which will occupy an area of 1,500 square meters, will be completed by 2019 near the industrial plant of
Bio-on Plants
in Castel San Pietro Terme (Bologna, Italy).
The energy
used in the processeswill be produced by photovoltaic panels, and the excesswill be stored in the form of hydrogen (a non-polluting gas). This solution will ensure that the system will continue to operate throughout the 24 hours, even when the solar panels are not working due to lack of sunlight.
Dario Dongo and Luca Foltran
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Expert in packaging and materials intended to come into contact with food substances and related legislative changes. He manages the information site foodcontactmaterials.info on European and extra-European regulations in the field of materials intended for contact with food.
