An innovative approach to converting biomass into high-value chemical products and promoting the development of greener processes in the chemical industry (IMAGE)
Caption
Eduardo García-Verdugo, Mattia Annatelli and Francisco García-Cirujano.
The widespread use of non-biodegradable plastics, manufactured from petroleum-derived polymers, represents one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time, as it contributes significantly to pollution and the degradation of ecosystems. In response to this scenario, an innovative and sustainable alternative has emerged: PEF (polyethylene furanoate), a renewable polyester obtained from plant biomass.
This material is produced from 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and ethylene glycol, both derived from renewable raw materials such as plant sugars (fructose or glucose), paving the way for the development of a polymer that is 100% based on renewable resources. PEF not only reduces dependence on fossil resources but also positions sustainable chemistry as a key element in the transition towards a more circular and environmentally friendly economy.
To advance improvements in FDCA production processes, Dr Mattia Annatelli has joined the Universitat Jaume I of Castelló, in the Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry—an environment that brings together leading research groups in sustainable chemistry, supramolecular chemistry and catalysis—thanks to a Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral fellowship funded by the European Union. His work focuses on developing an innovative “one-pot” method—carried out in a single vessel—that enables the synthesis of FDCA directly from sugars and polysaccharides, which are inexpensive, renewable and widely available raw materials. This approach simplifies the process, reduces waste and brings the large-scale, real-world application of more sustainable plastics closer to reality, contributing to cleaner and more accessible chemistry for society.
With the SynCell project, Annatelli aims to emulate nature’s ability to produce chemical compounds in its own “factories”: cells. In these natural systems, complex chemical transformations take place efficiently, without the need for separation or purification steps, and under mild, environmentally friendly conditions.
Credit
Universitat Jaume I of Castellón
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