ARC Training Centre for Bioplastics and Biocomposites

🌟 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽: 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 🌟   We were honoured to host W. Clayton Bunyard, Ph.D., M.S., a member of our Strategic Advisory Board and a Research Technical Leader for Circular Solution in Global R&D at Kimberly-Clark USA, at the School of Chemical Engineering UQ.   During his visit, Clay: • Toured our state-of-the-art laboratories 🧪 • Contributed to a project research update meeting 📊 • Met with some members of our Strategic Advisory Board 🤝 • Hosted an insightful "Ask Me Anything" career mentoring session for our students 🎓   The career mentoring session was a standout! Students had the unique opportunity to learn about working in a sustainability research role, especially from someone with a polymer research background. Clay shared invaluable advice, including:   • 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀: Describe your work clear and concisely, make the "what" and "so what" clear to your audience. • 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀: Always be able to communicate the outcome you want to achieve with research. • 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Leadership needs a different level of detail than your lab colleagues. So do non-technical audiences. • 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀: Ensure your PowerPoint titles convey the main point with key supporting information, details go in an appendix. • 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲: Be well-versed in various sustainability topics, from compost standards to policy directions, and understand public perceptions.   Sumedha Amaraweera, a PhD student, shared her thoughts on the session: "Hearing about Clayton's journey from polymer research to sustainability advisory was inspiring. Additionally, how he applied his experience as a researcher in his career development helped me better understand the skills I need to improve. "   Sita Bantha Magar reflected "Clayton's emphasis on understanding public perceptions and policy directions was a great reminder of the broader context of our work."   Thank you, Clay, for your time and wisdom. Our students and staff greatly benefited from your visit and look forward to future collaborations!   #Sustainability #CareerMentoring #PolymerResearch #Bioplastics #ProfessionalDevelopment  

🌍 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 🌍   Today, we're celebrating an inspiring industry placement experience of PhD student Md Abir Uddin Talukdar from the School of Chemical Engineering UQ who worked on a groundbreaking project with Plantic Technologies Ltd. The focus? Understanding and optimising a recycling system to extract PET plastic from multilayer packaging materials. The primary goal of this project was to determine the 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗘𝗧 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀, particularly those incorporating 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀. Most multilayer packaging cannot be recycled, as the individual layers cannot be separated in the recycling process. By incorporating Plantics’ unique water soluble, high-barrier, starch-based bioplastic, Plantic trays are able to be separated in the recycling process, enabling the PET to be recovered and reused, paving the way for a more sustainable future. "Working with Plantic Technologies Ltd. has been an incredible learning experience. I've gained hands-on skills with advanced analytical instruments and developed a deeper understanding of the recycling process. This placement has truly bridged the gap between my academic research and real-world application, and I'm excited to see the impact of our work on sustainable recycling solutions." - Abir Talukdar   Industry placements during a PhD provide invaluable real-world experience, offering students the opportunity to work on impactful projects, develop professional skills, and build networks within the industry. A huge thank you to Plantic Technologies Ltd. for this incredible opportunity!   Let's spread the word and support innovative recycling solutions! 🌱♻️   #WorldRecyclingDay #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #Bioplastics #PhD

🎉 Congratulations to Reza Hessampour on successfully passing his PhD confirmation. 🥳   His research, titled "𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬" aims to develop a conceptual framework for analysing bioplastic systems, incorporating feedstock, supply chain, technology, policy, and market aspects. By optimising economic and sustainability outcomes, this work has the potential to enhance the sustainability of plastic use through renewable raw materials and optimised production pathways. 🌱   🙏 A heartfelt thank you to the advisory team: Prof Ian O'Hara, Dr Lalehvash Moghaddam, Dr Jerome Ramirez, and Dr Ali Jahanian, for their support and guidance.   📝 We also extend our gratitude to the reviewers, Prof GRAEME MILLAR and Dr Gabriel Luiz Lopes Fraga, for their invaluable independent expert feedback.   The future of bioplastics is promising with such innovative research leading the way. 🌏✨   #sustainability #bioplastics #LCA #socialLCA #exergy QUT (Queensland University of Technology) ARC Australian Research Council

🌏 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗽 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘆 is this weekend, a perfect reminder of the importance of keeping our environment clean and free from litter. 🗑️   We're excited to share a recent publication from our team: "𝗗𝗼 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴?" by Dilkes-Hoffman, L., Lant, P., Ross, H., Pratt, S., & Laycock, B. (2024) in Environmental Research Communications. 📄   This study provides crucial insights into the debate over biodegradable plastics and their impact on littering behaviour. The research, conducted across four countries, highlights that while biodegradable plastics may not increase littering in some cultures, they could in others unless a clear societal message is communicated: 𝗻𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. 🌿   As we participate in Clean Up Australia Day, let's remember that every piece of litter, regardless of its material, has an impact. Together, we can make a difference. 💪   𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://lnkd.in/gJcWECen   #bioplastics  #biodegradable  #sustainability  #sustainablepackaging     UQ Engineering and Computing School of Chemical Engineering UQ Leela Dilkes-Hoffman, PhD , Steven Pratt, Paul Lant, Helen Ross, Bronwyn Laycock

🌿 The Centre for Bioplastics is proud to have supported two summer scholar research placements at the School of Chemical Engineering UQ  – hosted by Adrian Oehmen, Lisa Bai, and THI CAM TIEN NGUYEN. Kael Lennox and Kuda Man'ombe conducted research into 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗛𝗔 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺𝘀. 🧪   Every year, the 𝗨𝗤 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 offers scholarships to students wishing to gain experience working alongside a researcher in a formal research environment in their area of interest at UQ. It's a chance to experience research and gain skills that will enhance future employability. 📚✨   We were also grateful to have them join one of our high school visits and share their experiences of Engineering at UQ. Your dedication and enthusiasm greatly benefited our research – thank you! 🙏 Best of luck with your future careers! 🌟 #Bioplastics #ChemicalEngineering #Sustainability #Research #UQ

🎉 Well done to Mina Sharifi on achieving her PhD confirmation at the School of Chemical Engineering UQ!   Guided by her supervisors Pete Halley, Bronwyn Laycock, Darren Martin, and Emilie Gauthier, and with expert reviews from Dr Clement Matthew Chan and AProf Andrew Whittaker, Mina is embarking on an exciting research journey. Her project, titled “Understanding Gas Transport in High Barrier Starch-Based Films,” aims to develop innovative biodegradable starch-based films for food packaging, in partnership with Plantic Technologies Ltd. These films will feature low oxygen and water vapour permeability, making them perfect for preserving food.   Starch, a renewable and cost-effective material, can be processed into thermoplastic starch (TPS). Existing TPS films can be produced through a range of processing technologies, however composition and processing method can impact the physical properties and applications of the finished films. Blends will be prepared to understand options to enhance the mechanical and barrier properties of the films.   Mina's research will delve into the relationship between the structure and barrier properties of these materials, aiming to create effective and sustainable packaging solutions for the food industry.   👏 Well done, Mina! We’re excited to see what you discover!   #bioplastics #polymers #sustainability #sustainablepackaging #biodegradable

🌱 Green Entrepreneurship Shines at ACERE 2025! 🌱   We are thrilled to announce that our PhD student, Sita Bantha Magar, UQ Business School, presented at the prestigious ACERE (Australasian Consortium for Entrepreneurship Research Excellence) Conference 2025, held in Melbourne from 10-14 February. 🎉   The conference focused on several key themes: * 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: Exploring new business models and innovative practices. * 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: Discussing the role of entrepreneurship in promoting sustainability. * 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: Highlighting ventures that address social issues and create positive societal impact.   Sita presented at an interactive roundtable discussion on her thesis topic, "𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬: 𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫," co-authored by her advisors Martie-Louise Verreynne, Anya Phelan, Helen Ross, and Severine van Bommel vanBommel. 🌱   PhD students attending the conference had numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. The 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐮𝐦 on the first day provided a platform for students to present their research, receive feedback from experienced scholars, and network with peers. Additionally, the 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 helped students refine their research papers and improve their academic writing skills. 📚   Sita says, "Attending ACERE 2025 was an incredible experience. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet senior scholars not only from Australia, but also around the world, and to feel part of the community in the entrepreneurship field. The feedback I received on my research was invaluable. I feel more confident and inspired to continue my work in the field of sustainable entrepreneurship." 🌟   Congratulations, Sita, on this remarkable achievement! 🎉   #ACERE2025 #PhDResearch #sustainability #entrepreneurship #bioplastics

🌟 Building Connections and Advancing Research at Minjerribah 🌟 We were fortunate to hold a two-day meeting at UQ's Moreton Bay Research Station, Minjerribah, with the objectives of: * Gaining greater awareness of research across the Centre * Cohort building * Mentoring * Enhancing research capabilities * Gathering feedback to improve future programs and initiatives, particularly the development program for 2025   Highlights: 📊 Research updates from all attendees, focusing on plans for 2025 🌏 Welcome to Quandamooka country from Uncle Raymond of the Minjerribah, Moorgumpin Elders in Council Aboriginal  Corporation (MMEIC) 🧠 Emotional Intelligence & Risk for Research Teams Workshop facilitated by Paul Marshall from Concur Dispute Resolution Services 🔄Frameworks for change and impact session run by Professor Helen Ross 📈 Vitae RDF development planning session with Clement Matthew Chan and Lisa Pope 💬 Honest feedback session 🏊♂️ Swimming, spotting koalas and kangaroos, and a fun trivia night (huge thanks to Katrin Kockler (PhD))   We look forward to leveraging these insights to achieve our vision of a sustainable plastics future.   #sustainability #ARC #bioplastics #PhD #Research 

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 🌱   What a great way to start the year! A review article out this month by ECR researcher Clement Matthew Chan, CIs Paul Lant, Steven Pratt and Bronwyn Laycock and then-Honour’s student Serena Y. highlights the impact of functional additives on the biodegradation of biodegradable plastics. ❓ Do you know most biodegradable plastic products are blends of biodegradable polymers with other polymers, fillers, additives and colourants? Ever wondered how biodegradable they actually are? 📊This review paper highlights that non-reactive functional additives, like plasticisers and stabilisers, may leach out and affect biodegradation. Localised concentrations of additives can exceed thresholds, impacting microbial activities, especially in soil and compost. Few studies provide continuous quantitative biodegradation data with adequate sampling frequency and duration to assess this. Those that are available suggest that while additives cause a delay in the start of biodegradation, interestingly, they often speed up the breakdown later. Overall, the time it takes and how much bioplastic blends with additives break down varies. The rate of additive leaching, changes in polymer properties due to additives, and the characteristics of the additives themselves are crucial factors.   🔑 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲:  Additives play a crucial role in the biodegradation of bioplastics, and their impact is complex and important. Life cycle analysis and environmental impact assessments of new bioplastic products must consider the influence of additives.    📖 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:  Chan, C. M., Yim, S., Lant, P., Pratt, S., & Laycock, B. (2025). The impact of functional additives on biodegradable plastic biodegradation in natural terrestrial and composting environments. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 1–24. https://lnkd.in/gQr25MSW #bioplastics #biodegradable  #polymers #additives #sustainability #UQ

We were proud to host a visit this week by year 12 students attending the incredible National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) hosted by UQ. Students from Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Gladstone – and many other places – spent time learning about our bioplastics research followed by a tour of 3 of our labs at the School of Chemical Engineering UQ. Level 7 bioreactors with their pink, salt loving bacteria for growing PHA (a biobased and biodegradable bioplastic) were a hit! 👏 Special thanks to Professor Bronwyn Laycock for the introduction talk, Dr Clement Matthew Chan for organising activities and running extruders on level 1, and to Dr Lisa Bai, and PhD students Thi Cam Tien Nguyen, Alia Gallet--Pandellé and Cole Walchle for helping with the lab tours. #UQ #bioplastics