BIOTRANSFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Why in news?

Recently, A UK-based startup claims to have developed Biotransformation technology that can alter the state of plastics and make them biodegradable without leaving behind any microplastics.

More on news:

• Our world has developed a strong reliance on plastic items, resulting in significant negative impacts on the environment, society, economy, and health.
• Around the world, one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute, while up to five trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) said.
• The Biotransformation Technology presents a new and innovative strategy for effectively and efficiently processing plastics that evade refusing streams resulting in their decomposition.
• The term refuses stream refers to the flow of solid waste materials that are generated from various sources.
• Imperial College in London, UK, and a Britain-based startup, Polymateria have co-developed the technology. The technology produces plastics that have a predetermined lifespan in which they maintain the appearance and quality of traditional plastics.
• However, once this lifespan expires and they are exposed to the surrounding environment, they undergo a self-destructive process and biotransform into wax that is bioavailable. Microorganisms then consume this wax, leading to the conversion of waste into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass.
• The technology can be used in many industries but will be particularly beneficial for the food and healthcare industry as they generate a significant proportion of plastic waste. Some companies are even using such technologies, but Biotransformation will work as a complete game changer in the efforts.
• At a time when the world is producing around 400 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, such technologies can go a long way in providing an environment-friendly alternative to the dangerous plastic.
• The world is waking up to the problem, and governments, industry, and other stakeholders are starting to act

 

 

 

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/explained-what-is-biotransformation-technology/article66656794.ece#:~:text=What%20is%20Biotransformation%20technology%3F,Britain%2Dbased%20startup%2C%20Polymateria.