PolyTree

The main goal of this project called PolyTree is to enable a closed-loop sustainable materials economy by making renewable polyesters from wood-based building blocks through innovative green chemistries. While biopolymers have been actively developed, their technical properties lack in respect to fossil-based materials. Moreover, biopolymers are not necessarily biodegradable – or recyclable. This project embraces polymer retrobiosynthesis in which chemical retrosynthesis is combined with polymer technology, green chemistry and biocatalysis to enable valorization of inert building blocks from wood-based biomass into potent monomers, and further on to materials. We will assemble novel green polyesters with properties approaching fossil-based industrialized materials, albeit with a difference in structure. A portfolio of monomers will be generated in silico through chemical retrosynthesis and selected monomers will be enzymatically synthesized and polymerized. Bio-based polyesters and resins from wood-based raw materials will be generated and recycling routes will be developed. The project’s focus on polyesters with hydrolysable bonds benefits material recyclability and biodegradability will be preliminarily demonstrated, with focus on avoiding the formation of microplastics. The results of this project will contribute to a sustainable materials economy aligned with the global sustainable development goals (SDGs) by new green circular materials and forestry value chains.