In Germany, Chem Europe reported that a research team from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the Leipzig University has developed a process that can produce adipic acid, one of two building blocks of nylon, from phenol through electrochemical synthesis and the use of microorganisms.
The team also showed that phenol can be replaced by waste materials from the wood industry. This could then be used to produce bio-based nylon, according to the report.
Until now, nylon has been produced from petroleum-based raw materials.
“Our goal is to make the entire nylon production chain environmentally friendly. This is possible if we access bio-based waste as feedstock and make the synthesis process sustainable”, said Falk Harnisch, head of the Electrobiotechnology working group at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ).
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