The POLYGO1 project aims to validate at a pilot-scale a bioprocess for the recovery of FOG (fat, oil and grease) wastes to produce biopolymers (polyhydroxyalkanoates, PHAs) that are expected to be used as a substitute for conventional petroleum-based plastics. FOG wastes present a complex management and are commonly incinerated. However, following the waste recovery hierarchy proposed by the EU, the recovery of a product, such as the PHAs, with a higher value-added than energy is recommended. For that purpose, the PRETENACC technology (single-unit process) proposed will be operated in an industrial environment to obtain information for its subsequent implementation at a larger scale. With this information several tasks will be carried out to develop the biotechnology for its subsequent transfer.

The activities proposed in the project will be divided in four main tasks to achieve the following objectives: (1) to know the operational conditions of the PRETENACC technology to accumulate only PHAs from FOG waste; (2) validate at pilot-scale in a fish-canning industry the technology; (3) obtain enough amount of PHAs accumulated to perform their extraction and determine their properties: (4) actions to transfer the technology and found possible PHAs end-users.

The project activities will allow to increase the technology maturity from a current TRL of 4 to a TRL of 5. It is expected that the results of the pilot plant operation and the technology valuation studies will be able to awake the interest of specific companies.