For two days, Aimplas organised and hosted the second edition of the International Seminar on Biotechnology Applied to the Plastics Sector in Valencia, bringing together one hundred international specialists in biotechnology and sustainability. A panel of twenty high-level speakers presented the innovations being developed by their organisations and addressed the main challenges facing the sector, as well as its contributions to society and the economy.
The event began with a session on Plastics and the Bioeconomy, in which Lorette Du Preez of European Bioplastics highlighted the opportunities that legislation such as the Global Plastics Treaty or the Circular Economy Act presents for these materials. She also highlighted how bioplastics can improve the efficiency of sectors such as agriculture and, more broadly, their potential in an economy and society increasingly committed to bio-based and biodegradable materials. In terms of barriers, she spoke of costs and insufficient demand, and called for greater legislative support for the sector. Next, Filippo Giancarlo Martinelli of Magfi reviewed the main recycling technologies for bioplastics and presented research projects such as ReBioCycle, which aims to integrate bioplastics into the circular economy through efficient separation and recycling technologies for these materials. Finally, Jesús Agüero of Bioval recalled that the first biotech company was created in Valencia in 2002. Since then, the association has been working to address common challenges with the bioplastics sector, such as transfer, regulation and funding. He also highlighted that, for the first time, biotechnology has been included as a strategic sector in the Valencian government's reindustrialisation strategy.
The second session of the first day focused on the production of bioplastics from waste, with Caterina Coll from Perseo Biotechnology explaining some of the company's projects and patents for the valorisation of organic waste. These range from complex urban cellulose-based wastes to residues from the agri-food industry, which they have successfully converted into high value-added products such as bioethanol, bioethylene and CO2, as well as other by-products such as feed, compost and biofertilisers. Pablo Ferrero, senior biotechnology researcher at Aimplas then highlighted how biopolymers can help reduce pollution, carbon footprint and dependence on fossil resources. He explained some of the research carried out by the Technology Centre in the biotechnological synthesis of these materials and their applications in sectors such as agriculture. Rosa Puig, from Novamont, presented some of the company's projects based on modular and flexible biorefinery models capable of processing different waste streams, from municipal solid waste (MSW) to absorbent hygiene products and even wastewater. Finally, Jenifer Mitjà from TotalEnergies Corbion discussed the different end-of-life options for PLA, from reuse to recycling and composting, and identified the most suitable alternatives depending on the different applications.
In the third session, Post-Production Processes for Bioplastics, Bruno Ferreira of Biotrend explored PHA production through various case studies, such as the Ellipse project. José María Guijarro of SAV explained the company's commitment to biotechnology in order to valorise certain residues for which there are no established management cycles, such as rice straw, coffee grounds and other waste materials. Finally, Vincent Gavroy of Applexion presented advanced purification technologies that optimise fermentation processes to obtain functional ingredients, healthy foods and new bio-based molecules.
