Better Biobased Polymer Network

B3PO studies the application of the biobased polymers in adhesives, coatings and biomedical 3D materials, and their biodegradation. The research explores two highly relevant strategies for the future biobased polymer industry: the direct modification of biopolymers and biotechnological production of monomers. Work on the direct enzymatic modification of lignin combines extraction and blending of lignin with selective hemoenzymatic functionalization. Metabolic, enzyme and bioprocess engineering is combined to develop routes towards biobased lactones, whose sustainable ring-opening-polymerization leads to new co-polyesters. Conversion of biomass to high-value functional polymers requires very different methods and thus highly trained scientists with interdisciplinary skills. The consortium joins leading academic partners with high- tech SMEs and world-class producers of enzymes, adhesives and coatings. B3PO’s double degree program offers unique interdisciplinary training at the interface of industrial biotechnology and polymer science, complemented by transferable skills with emphasis on creativity and an ntrepreneurial mindset. B3PO thus offers a unique, highly intersectoral and interdisciplinary environment to provide 15 double degree PhD candidates with outstanding employability profiles for the European industry.