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The PHA-Binder project (full name: Tuneable PHA-Based Biodegradable Binder Platform<\/strong> project), part of the Interreg-funded EMPHATI initiative, recently received funding to advance eco-friendly innovations in the coatings industry. This one-year project aims to develop sustainable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based binders that are free from microplastics, moving the paint industry closer to environmentally responsible solutions.<\/strong><\/p>\n Prof. Dr. Mark R\u00fcsch gen. Klaas of the Hochschule Emden-Leer<\/a>, one of the project\u2019s lead researchers, emphasizes that while this initial phase may not yield a market-ready product, it\u2019s set to establish a clear commercialization path. \u201cWe aim to reach a proof of concept and outline a path to a viable product,\u201d says R\u00fcsch.<\/p>\n The project centers on polyhydroxyalkanoyates (PHA) derivatives\u2014biopolymers produced through fermentation\u2014that hold promise as cost-effective, sustainable alternatives for the paint industry. “PHAs are used in sectors like medicine, but the scale is limited and costs are high,\u201d explains Prof. Dr. Mark R\u00fcsch. \u201cHowever, they may be ideal for paints, where cost and sustainability can balance well.”<\/p>\n A key goal is to replace petrochemical-based binders, which release microplastics, with bio-based binders that degrade naturally. \u201cWe aim to create a paint that remains stable while in use, yet safely degrades over time\u2014a difficult but essential balance for sustainability,\u201d R\u00fcsch says.<\/p>\n The project brings together three core partners: Hochschule Emden-Leer, Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen<\/a>, and the company Wydo NBD<\/a>, both based on Campus Groningen. The Hochschule Emden-Leer, led by R\u00fcsch, handles polymer modification and analytics.<\/p>\n The Hanze University, under Janneke Krooneman, Professor bioconversion & fermentation technology, leads on microbiological research focussing on fermentative PHA-production. Krooneman explains, \u201cWe aim to use natural fermentation to produce PHAs that require minimal modification, making the process more efficient and sustainable. This is key to developing a truly bio-based binder for coatings.\u201d<\/p>\n Wydo NBD, led by Ron Hulst, focuses on testing the binders in practical applications across various coating environments. Hulst adds, \u201cSince Wydo\u2019s founding in 2016, we\u2019ve aimed to bridge the gap between research and market-ready products, making eco-friendly solutions accessible to both the paint and broader manufacturing sectors.\u201d<\/p>\n The vision behind the PHA-Biobinder project is to streamline production chains, enhancing both efficiency and sustainability. R\u00fcsch explains, \u201cAfter years of experience in biomass-based products, I see the importance of shortening the pathway from raw material to final product. This project fits perfectly within that vision.\u201d<\/p>\n If successful, the partners hope to continue developing bio-based paint solutions, ultimately aiming to bring a viable, sustainable alternative to traditional paints to market.<\/p>\n EMPHATI stands for Ecofriendly Materials from PHA Tuned for Injection Moulding. In the EMPHATI project, made possible by an Interreg grant, Dutch and German companies and research institutions are collaborating on the development of new sustainable and environmentally friendly products based on PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates). PHAs are natural plastics that are biodegradable, making them a promising and sustainable alternative to fossil-based plastics. As a partner, the BIO Cooperative bridges the gap to the broader plastics processing industry in North Netherlands and offers funding opportunities for innovators in PHA\u2019s.<\/p>\n The project partners in the EMPHATI project are: 3N Kompetenzzentrum e.V., Ecoras, bekuplast GmbH, TKT Kunststoff-Technik GmbH, H&P Moulding Emmen B.V., IST Ficotex e.K., Hochschule Bremen, NHL Stenden, BINDER 3D B.V., Avans Hogeschool, Hanzehogeschool Groningen, and Netzwerk Oberfl\u00e4che NRW e.V. Read more on EMPHATI on our site<\/a> and at Interreg<\/a>.<\/p>\n Photo credits: Gert Hofstede, Kemal Ko\u00e7, and No\u00eblle ten Boer at the Hanze fermentation lab for Renewable Molecules (FERMO Lab). The photographer is Ward Jonkman<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The PHA-Biobinder project, part of the Interreg-funded EMPHATI initiative, aims to develop microplastic-free, sustainable PHA-based binders for eco-friendly innovations in the paint industry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1598,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[73,60,58,72],"class_list":["post-1519","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-emphati-en","tag-biobased-en","tag-emphati-en","tag-interreg-en","tag-pha-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biocooperative.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1519","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biocooperative.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biocooperative.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biocooperative.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biocooperative.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1519"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/biocooperative.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1519\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1600,"href":"https:\/\/biocooperative.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1519\/revisions\/1600"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biocooperative.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1598"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biocooperative.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1519"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biocooperative.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1519"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biocooperative.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Key goals<\/h2>\n
Collaboration and Cross-Border Partnership<\/h2>\n
Streamlining production chains<\/h2>\n
About EMPHATI<\/h2>\n
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