Value added materials from organic waste sugars

This project aims to showcase, at demonstration scale, the feasibility of producing and valorising second generation sugars derived from municipal solid waste (MSW). This MSW is composed of either mixed domestic residual waste or waste rejected from sorting and recycling processes (MRF rejects) and contains significant quantities of paper/card (lignocellulosic) based materials. The sugar will be utilised in the production of three bio-based products; 1) a thermoset bioresin used in the binding of mineral-wool insulation; 2) purified lactic acid (LA) for the commodities market; and 3) poly-lactic acid (PLA) and PLA/Fibre composite materials to be used in non-food contact applications within the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), packaging, furnishings and construction sectors. The vision is to create a paradigm shift in industrial biotechnology products by establishing a novel approach based on the efficient use of low value mixed waste and the conversion of this material into value-added products. This project, titled ‘Value Added Materials from Organic waste Sugars’ (VAMOS) aims to produce competitive, sustainable, affordable and high-performance bio-based materials from low-value residual waste sugars.