LWV 22058 UV-Light Triggered Rapid and Adjustable Degradable REnewAble Materials (ULTRA-DREAM) (BO-59-006-013)

This project aims to develop new technology for UV-light triggered (bio)degradation of biobased polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA) or poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), at their end-of-life (EoL) by utilising the UV susceptibility of furans. Biorenewable furan building blocks, such as furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) have recently been shown to be sensitive to degradation under UV irradiation. Incorporation of furans into biobased polymers, is expected to increase the rate of degradation of products such as agricultural mulching films or decorative and paper coatings by exposure to sunlight when emitted into the environment. By using agro residues as feedstocks for producing both the biobased polymers and the furan functional building blocks, it will be possible to develop novel classes of renewable, biodegradable materials with a true circular potential.