Next Generation Biomaterials

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Next Generation Biomaterials

• Biomaterials Engineering

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Outline

• About Scion
• Research Themes
• Synthesis of Biopolymers
• Environmentally Intelligent Biocomposites
• Product Assessment Capabilities
• Summary

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About Scion

• Crown Research Institute
• Formally Forest Research
• Based in Rotorua
• Government-owned company
• US25 million per annum
• 392 scientific and support staff
• Ensis Joint venture with CSIRO
• Biopolymer Network Joint venture with
• Canesis and Crop and Food Research

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• Science excellence
• Vision of developing sustainable biomaterials for
  future generations.
• Focused on creating plant-based biomaterials and
  new manufacturing processes as a basis for
  sustaining the consumer markets of the future

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Research Themes

• Compounding and processing
• Improving plastic recyclable strengths
• Functional master batches for commercial
  bioplastic with NZ resources
• Functional bioplastic and biofoams
• Biopolymer synthesis
• Environmentally Intelligent Biocomposites
• Accelerated degradation
• Stabilisation of recyclable polymers

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Synthesis of Biopolymers

• Patented PHA (polyester) bioproduction process
• Targeting added-value opportunities
• RD phase
• Enhancing yield and selectivity
• Pilot-scale bioproduction trials
• Linkages to end use products

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Environmentally Intelligent Biocomposites

• Increased stabilisation/durability of degradable
  plastics
• Accelerated/controlled degradation
• Biodegradation (not compostable)

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Increased Biodegradation
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Controlled Degradation
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Mechanical Tests

• Rheology and thermal (DMTA, DSC, TGA)
• Processability and formulation/compatibility
• Mechanical properties

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• Morphology (SEM, confocal,..)
• Durability humidity-UV-microbial-freeze
  thaw-cyclic-..
• Chemical and polymer characterizations (NMR,
  LC-MS, GC-MS, GPC,.. )

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Biodegradation Analysis

• Measurement of C02 production as
• an indication of biodegradation
• Nursery trials (put product into
• the ground)
• Ecotoxicity
• Fungal Decay

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Life Cycle Assessment
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LCA services by Scion

• Case studies
• Development of New Zealand specific mythologies
• Critical review of external studies
• Interpretation of existing studies
• Involvement in international harmonisation
  projects for LCA methodology (SETAC UNEP life
  cycle initiative)

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Summary

• Focused in biomaterials research
• Knowledge to transform biomass resources into
  added-value products
• Formulation, processing and testing throughout
  the whole cycle of a product