Reviewed by Frances BriggsJan 7 2026
Researchers in Germany are trying to create an entirely organic and biodegradable plastic from green waste, hay, and algae.
A special chemical is needed to develop completely bio-based PBS for the first time. The researchers are working on a novel technology. Image Credit: University of Oldenburg/ Matthias Knust
The Walther research team at the University of Oldenburg hopes to integrate environmentally friendly and application-focused methods to create a cost-effective and energy-efficient technology for producing innovative plastics derived from polybutylene succinate (PBS), which are entirely composed of organic waste.
The EcoPBS project is receiving approximately 2.7 million euros in funding from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR).
Located in northwest Germany, the group will work to convert green waste, hay, and algae into completely biodegradable plastics intended for use in medical products, automotive components, insulation, and packaging.
The work of the new Junior Research Group aims to offer plastics made from renewable raw materials as an industrially viable alternative to conventional plastics. The BMFTR’s funding approval also acknowledges our university’s outstanding research infrastructure in this field and highlights the potential of EcoPBS in creating an environmentally and climate-friendly circular economy.
Dr. Ralph Bruder, Professor and President, University of Oldenburg
PBS shares similarities with traditional plastics such as polypropylene and polyethylene regarding durability and processability, with the significant benefit of being easily biodegradable. The researchers have not yet succeeded in creating a completely bio-based material that is entirely recyclable, and the current manufacturing methods are not adequately aligned with the requirements of the chemical industry.
For a high yield, you need microorganisms that are easy to grow and stable enough to be efficient in low-cost, low-energy processes.
Melanie Walther, Study Lead and Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Oldenburg
The Junior Research Group will conduct investigations in three sub-projects aimed at converting a biological substrate made from garden trimmings and agricultural waste into Bio-PBS.
The initial phase for the team will involve optimizing the fermentation process: they will evaluate how effectively the organic material can be transformed into bioplastics through various types of microorganisms in a newly developed biotechnological process.
A key aspect of this research will be the examination of two fermentation methods: Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) fermentation and succinic acid fermentation.
New Manufacturing Processes for Bioplastics
The second sub-project will concentrate on the process of "downstreaming," which involves eliminating foreign substances from the processed material. The objective is to transform the organic compound n-butanol into 1,4 butanediol, a bivalent alcohol that serves as a crucial raw material for plastics. Using simulations and machine learning, the team will explore methods to enhance the material and energy balances of this procedure.
The new chemical compound is required to eliminate contaminants, thereby enabling the production of the first fully biodegradable BPS. The team has already created a preliminary design for this compound and has submitted a patent application. In the third sub-project, they intend to develop the technology.
Another aim is to use the byproducts from bio-PBS production to generate renewable electricity and heat, which can be harnessed to power the laboratory facilities.
Ultimately, the researchers aspire to produce the first industrial products, such as packaging and medical materials, by employing digital 3D models and entirely bio-based PBS.