ProPhos

The innovative core of the ProPhos project is to use biobased polyphosphate with bacteriostatic properties and release systems for biobased plastic as renewable inputs for the production of functionalized plastics. The focus of the project is the synthesis of long-chain polyphosphates and quantification of the growth inhibitory effect. The development of a biotechnological production process of phosphate from biogenic residues, for example de-oiled seeds and bran, was carried out in cooperation between the biotechnology department and the iAMB at RWTH and was patented.

Based on the expertise in the DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, these polyphosphates are embedded in plastics for the production of consumer goods, for example toys and ballpoint pens, or in films for plastic packaging in the food sector or agricultural films or coated on the surface with the aim of a slow release of polyphosphate in the application. Polymer-based systems for the release of nutrient substrates, such as salt and glucose, were co-developed and commercialized at DWI and RWTH. The developed release system for polyphosphates will be applied to the functionalization of bioplastics and a prototype will be created.

The prototypes will provide evidence that polyphosphate functionalized consumer goods consisting of renewable raw materials, bio-based plastics, can be produced. The combination of bio-based plastics and bio-polyphosphate leads to a new material development for the packaging and agricultural industry, but also for the production of consumer goods.