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A process for
biopolymer production based on natural waste materials was
developed. Thus, no primary raw materials (food stuffs) are
needed. In addition, raw material costs are very low –
summing up to only 0.30 € per kg of raw polymer. This
means that conventional products (plastics, papers) may be
substituted even with regard to prices.
Polymer growth is 350% within 2 days according to the process.
In addition to raw material costs, the overall process is
cheap, since – in contrast to many other well known
processes of biotechnology – no oxygen control or stirring
is required.
Due to their large size (see figure below), the polymer grains
may be easily harvested from the fermentation liquid by mechanical
methods (sieving). |
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The following products may be derived from
polymer grains (see figure left):
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bioplastics: the polymer exhibits thermoplastic
properties per se |
|
paper substitutes: the polymer
may be turned into transparent or opaque, printable
foils |
|
depot fertilizers: the polymer
has a water holding capacity of 700%, as compared to
its dry weight |
The fermented liquid ("fermentation
broth") shows strong antibiotic effects, even against
multi-resistant bacteria.
A beverage is fermented according to classical
recipies described at many sites on the Internet. |
