New biotechnology breakthrough may cut reliance on petroleum-based naphtha

Biodiesel waste being turned into eco-friendly plastic raw materials. PIC COURTESY/KAIST

Researchers have introduced a new biotechnology platform that may help the petrochemical industry rely less on petroleum-based naphtha.

The team announced that they have developed a way to mass-produce eco-friendly raw materials for plastics and textiles from waste generated by biodiesel production.

The platform uses glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production. The team engineered microorganisms that turn it into 1,3-propanediol, a material used in plastics, cosmetics, and textiles.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever