Specific Program: Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra POCTEFA 2021-2027

Project Title: Accelerating the biodegradation process of bioPLASTics to improve their applications in biomedical devices

Acronym: AcroBioPLAST

Project Objective: The AcroBioPLAST project aims to accelerate the biodegradation of bioplastics. New polyesters will be synthesized and additives based on nanostructured sugars will be designed. The presence of these sugars within the plastic matrix will increase the degradation rate, the mechanical properties and will provide antimicrobial capacity. AcroBioPLAST will achieve the development of a prototype of a medical device with which preclinical validation will begin (TLR 4).

Research team:

• Alejandro Jesús Müller Sánchez (Investigador principal)
• Miren Agurtzane Mugica Iztueta
• Mohammad Ali Aboudzadeh Safarzadeh
• María Manuela Zubitur Soroa
• Javier Martínez Sabando 

Partner Entities:

• UPV/EHU: University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (Project Leader)
• UNIZAR: University of Zaragoza.
• POLYMERBIO
• UPPA IPREM: Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux.

Total budget: €1,503,666.03

Project start: 01/01/2024

Project end: 31/12/2026

Total project duration: 2 years 11 months and 30 days

Project summary: Despite efforts to recycle plastics, a large amount is not recovered and continues to be disposed of in landfills. Therefore, efforts to develop biodegradable and recyclable materials have recently expanded. Bioplastics such as poly(lactic acid) and polycaprolactone have emerged as potential substitutes for fossil fuel-derived plastics. However, their biomedical applications are limited by disadvantages associated with too slow degradation (3 or 4 years) and weak mechanical properties. These bioplastics are made up of long polymer chains that hinder the diffusion of water and enzymes necessary for their biodegradation. The aim of AcroBioPLAST is to overcome these limitations by manufacturing new copolyesters and designing additives based on nanostructured sugars, such as polysaccharides, in the bioplastic matrix. The presence of a polysaccharide phase within the plastic matrix will increase the degradation rate, improve mechanical properties simultaneously and also provide antimicrobial capacity. AcroBioPLAST is multidisciplinary and combines scientific research (chemical, physical and microbiological) with industrial application, since it covers everything from the production of bioplastics on a pilot scale to the creation of medical devices manufactured in accordance with the MDR 2017/745 regulation. Therefore, at the end of the project, it is planned to develop a prototype with which preclinical validation (TRL 4) can be started. The bioplastics sector, which is highly represented in the POCTEFA area, will thus develop innovative materials with advanced properties. The medical sector will also benefit from using these bioplastics to replace the biomaterials currently used. Cross-border cooperation will make it possible to address the relevant regional problem and benefit from an unprecedented synergy of skills and technical know-how.

The AcroBioPLAST project has been 65% co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra Programme (POCTEFA 2021-2027). The objective of POCTEFA is to strengthen the economic and social integration of the Spain-France-Andorra border area.

More information about the programme:

https://www.poctefa.eu/

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/es/sheet/95/el-fondo-europa-regional-desarrollo-feder-