Waste-derived Bioplastics for a Circular and Sustainable Food Packaging Economy PhD 36 months PHD Programme By Loughborough University |TopUniversities
Subject Ranking

# 201-250QS Subject Rankings

Programme Duration

36 monthsProgramme duration

Application Deadline

11 Feb, 2025Application Deadline

Main Subject Area

Engineering - ChemicalMain Subject Area

Programme overview

Main Subject

Engineering - Chemical

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

Waste-derived Bioplastics for a Circular and Sustainable Food Packaging Economy PhD


Food packaging plays an essential role in containing, portioning and protecting food products against contamination, reducing food waste and associated emissions.


Packaging is also an important way for manufacturers to brand and sell their products and provide important information such as the composition, origin, storage and preparation instructions.


However, global plastic production, use and disposal is responsible for ~5% of total carbon emissions, and plastic packaging accounts for almost 70% of all UK plastic waste. Packaging recycling is currently limited by contamination with food residues and other waste streams, while many bioplastic alternatives are incompatible with current waste collection schemes and practices.


To address these challenges, this project seeks to develop and evaluate circular food-waste derived biopolymers, which can be fully recycled after use.


We will start by using food waste as a substrate for cultivating fast growing microbes, before using the resulting biomass to produce sustainable biopolymers. Experimental work on microbe cultivation, polymer synthesis and testing will be complemented through whole system analysis to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of the proposed process.

Programme overview

Main Subject

Engineering - Chemical

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

Waste-derived Bioplastics for a Circular and Sustainable Food Packaging Economy PhD


Food packaging plays an essential role in containing, portioning and protecting food products against contamination, reducing food waste and associated emissions.


Packaging is also an important way for manufacturers to brand and sell their products and provide important information such as the composition, origin, storage and preparation instructions.


However, global plastic production, use and disposal is responsible for ~5% of total carbon emissions, and plastic packaging accounts for almost 70% of all UK plastic waste. Packaging recycling is currently limited by contamination with food residues and other waste streams, while many bioplastic alternatives are incompatible with current waste collection schemes and practices.


To address these challenges, this project seeks to develop and evaluate circular food-waste derived biopolymers, which can be fully recycled after use.


We will start by using food waste as a substrate for cultivating fast growing microbes, before using the resulting biomass to produce sustainable biopolymers. Experimental work on microbe cultivation, polymer synthesis and testing will be complemented through whole system analysis to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of the proposed process.

Admission Requirements

3.2+
6.5+
92+
Students should have or expected to have a minimum of a 2.1 class masters or bachelors in Chemical Engineering, Materials, Chemistry/Biochemistry or related Engineering or Science discipline.

11 Feb 2025
3 Years
Oct

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