image: 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
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.
Inspired by this model, SynCell seeks to reproduce these processes to transform cellulosic waste and sugars into high value-added chemical products such as FDCA, a key component in the development of sustainable plastics. Achieving this goal requires a multidisciplinary approach encompassing catalysis, materials science, biotechnology and chemical engineering, with a clear focus on green chemistry and sustainability.
This integrated system will employ metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which offer key advantages such as an ordered structure, tunable porosity and a uniform distribution of active metals, and which have positioned reticular chemistry among the most influential developments in modern chemistry, including Nobel Prize-winning work. The objective is to develop an innovative method based on a cascade of catalysts derived from these materials, in which each product generated feeds the subsequent reaction. In this way, the need for intermediate isolation steps is eliminated, improving both the efficiency and the selectivity of the process.
In addition, the system will enable the use of ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DES) as alternative media for the effective dissolution of glucose and polysaccharides. These solvents not only facilitate dissolution but also enhance catalytic performance, creating a more efficient reaction environment. Overall, this approach paves the way for greener and more sustainable technologies by favouring complex transformations in a single step and reducing environmental impact through the use of abundant, low-toxicity and cost-effective metals such as iron, instead of noble metals.
The scientific impact of SynCell lies in its innovative approach to transforming biomass into high-value chemical products, prioritising the use of renewable resources over petrochemicals. This strategy drives the development of more sustainable processes in the chemical industry and helps make biorefineries more economically self-sufficient by reducing dependence on imported fossil raw materials. At the same time, the project has the potential to strengthen local economies by generating new sources of income and fostering the creation of green jobs.
Dr Annatelli carries out his work under the supervision of Professor Eduardo García-Verdugo, an expert in the synthesis of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents, and Professor Francisco García-Cirujano, a specialist in MOF-based catalysis. He will also undertake a research stay at the University of Murcia under the supervision of Professor P. Lozano, who will contribute his expertise in biocatalysis.
The project also includes the organisation of outreach activities aimed at communicating the results to the general public, the academic community and industry, thereby reinforcing the scientific and social impact of the research.
Mattia Annatelli, who obtained his bachelor’s degree (2016) and master’s degree (2019) in Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, recently defended his doctoral thesis in Environmental Sciences under the supervision of Professor Fabio Aricò at the same institution. He brings to the UJI his experience in biorefinery processes and sustainable pathways for the conversion of biomass into bio-based chemical products, which will enhance the capabilities of UJI’s research staff in this field and open up new sustainable avenues in chemical production alongside existing ones, such as fine and pharmaceutical chemistry.
The project “Efficient production of synthetic FDCA cells through an integrated one-pot catalytic process” has been funded by the European Union through a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions postdoctoral fellowship under Horizon TMA. These grants aim to foster the creative and innovative potential of doctoral researchers wishing to acquire new skills through advanced training, international mobility and project development. The grant agreement number is HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01-101204879.