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Academics to discuss their innovative work to tackle plastic pollution

17/10/2017

Researchers from the University of Wolverhampton will hold a public lecture to discuss their efforts to reduce plastic waste through the creation of biodegradable plastics. 

Dr Iza Radecka and Professor Marek Kowalczuk will outline how their work could be used for areas as diverse as the production of cosmetics and farming. 

The Biopolymer Research Group at the University of Wolverhampton is making significant contributions towards the global issue of plastic waste, meeting growing demand for a biodegradable plastic.

Bioplastics have experienced fast growth in the past decade thanks to the public concerns over the environment. Global capacity of bioplastics is expected to reach 7.8 million tonnes in 2019.

Dr Radecka said: “Mountains of plastic waste, including carrier bags, packaging and medical plastic wastes are buried in landfill sites around the world each year.

“Unfortunately plastics produced by the petrochemical industry are not biodegradable and therefore accumulate in the environment at a rate of more than 25 million tonnes per year.  

“Over the past decades a large amount of biopolymers originating from various types of microorganisms have been reported. Ongoing research has increased rapidly the number of possible applications, ranging from food additives, polymeric controlled-release systems of pesticides and biomedical agents to biodegradable packaging, toys, carpets and electronic components.

“Bacterial biopolymers can contribute to the solution of the problem of disposal of manufactured plastics. There are still challenges in developing biodegradable, high performance bacterial plastics. Attempts are therefore being made to find new ways in which to increase the rate and efficiency of microbial synthesis of bioplastics.”

The lecture will be held on Wednesday October 18 in the University of Wolverhampton’s Millennium City Building, Wulfruna Street, from 5pm-7pm and all are welcome.

Booking is available via Eventbrite

 ENDS

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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