WasteWater2Packaging

Project duration: 01/2026 - 12/2028

Persons in charge: Cora Laumeyer, M.Sc., Prof. Dr.-Ing. Heidrun Steinmetz

Fundingrderung: The Federal Minstry of Research, Technology and Space

Project partners: Research group Prof. Thiel (RPTU), Research group Prof. Stoeck (RPTU), Leibniz Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe (IVW)

Associated partners: Dienes Packaging GmbH, Karlsberg Brauerei GmbH

Supported by: Stadtentwässerung Kaiserslautern A.ö.R.

In WasteWater2Packaging, waste materials are converted into bioplastics and thus into valuable raw materials through targeted treatment with selected mixed cultures in a biotechnological process. This forms the basis for the subsequent production of marketable bio-based plastics. This approach fits perfectly with the objectives of the Waste2Value research initiative by combining the region's expertise in plastics and composites with white biotechnology based on the use of microorganisms.

On this basis, processes are being developed and validated in demonstrators, from ‘residual material to bioplastic,’ and bio-based plastics and composites are being produced and optimised, as well as plastics being recycled for material use in starting products for the renewed manufacture of high-quality products. The planned project thus addresses three key innovation paths in the call for proposals and will both improve the utilisation of raw materials and reduce the often still high costs of bio-based materials through the use of waste and wastewater as starting substrates, thanks to the additional revenue generated.

The following positive effects and improvements are also expected from the project:

• Sustainability: Use of regional waste materials as raw materials for the biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and production of biodegradable 
plastics from renewable raw materials.

• Structural change: Development of municipal sewage treatment plants from waste disposal to resource centres through the material recycling of carbon and strengthening of the regional plastics industry: gaining competitive advantages through the manufacture of sustainable plastic products and the development of processes for the combined recycling of conventional and bioplastics.

• Value creation: Very high due to the use of waste and wastewater, which would otherwise have little or no economic value.

• Raw material security: Independence from fossil sources, including those from politically unstable countries, and reduction of long transport routes.

• Change in awareness among plastics processors: Use of renewable material flows instead of fossil raw materials. Obstacles to the use of novel materials are overcome.

Despite the regional focus, the processes and potential applications extend far beyond the regional consortium and will find supra-regional and international applications. The largest market here is the packaging industry (especially non-food sales packaging), which largely processes standard fossil-based plastics.