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Plastics & Resins Blog

The Plastics & Resins Blog is the place for conversation and discussion about polymers, films, foams, engineered components, green plastics, composites, mold making and anything else related to the plastics field. Here, you'll find everything from application ideas, to news and industry trends, to hot topics and cutting edge innovations.
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Introducing Bacteria-Built Plastics

Posted November 07, 2008 8:10 AM

Oh, what to do with that leftover E. Coli-tainted beef? Make plastic! Lab researchers in San Diego are holding the beef but genetically engineering E. Coli strains for the purpose of material production. The bacteria is grown in a sugar-water mix, forming the butanediol that then makes plastic. Replacing oil and natural gas, the E. Coli uses one-third less energy, the Genomatica lab reports. Could this be the key to reducing oil dependency or merely a trade-off of dangers?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Plastics & Resins, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Plastics & Resins today.

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phoenix911
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#1

Re: Introducing Bacteria-Built Plastics

11/10/2008 1:02 PM

questions

1.) how much energy will it take to accomplish to replace current production models/methods. Is it 1/3 like it states, or are there costs hidden.

2.) This plastic would not be bio degradable, would it.

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Anonymous Poster
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Re: Introducing Bacteria-Built Plastics

11/12/2008 4:06 PM

This is good effort. I think it should be kept continued until we are not getting final product.
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