Paques Biomaterials And Looop Partner In Producing PHA From Agri-Food Side Streams

Paques Biomaterials and Looop will collaborate in producing PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate) from agri-food side streams. Paques Biomaterials has been working for more than ten years on the technology in which microbes in organic side streams produce the biopolymer PHA. Looop is an independent (knowledge) partner and supplier of these side streams from the agri-food sector.

It is hardly surprising that these companies have found each other and will join forces in producing a natural alternative to plastic.”The cooperation with Looop offers us a secure supply of side streams to produce PHA from,” says René Rozendal, co-founder of Paques Biomaterials. “Looop has a lot of experience in valorising side streams. They are innovative and apply high quality control. Because Looop can combine different side streams from the agri-food sector, they can guarantee the best feedstock for our PHA production.”

PHA is also called the most promising biopolymer because it is made by nature and also completely degrades in nature, both in the soil and in the sea and without any specific equipment or conditions. In this way PHA can prevent plastic pollution and microplastics.

Looop and Paques Biomaterials recently expressed their intention to jointly explore the production of PHA in organic side streams. “We guarantee our suppliers the highest valorisation for their side streams,” says Kelly Vermeer, manager Procurement & Development at Looop. “Producing PHA provides higher valorisation, which ensures lower CO2 emissions and is for that reason an important broadening within our application areas. It is both biobased and circular and, therefore, fits perfectly with our mission and vision.