BIOPYRANIA

The Sustainable Product Initiative sets a challenge for European industries to create sustainable products, considering environmental impact, durability, recyclability, and safety. BIOPYRANIA introduces a groundbreaking approach using a new class of biobased pyrazine monomers. They will be synthesized from glutamic acid and 5-amino levulinic acid that are on their turn obtained via fermentative processes starting from European, second generation woody biomass. As already proven by the recent work on pyrazine based polyesters in the labs of Maastricht University, the incorporation of pyrazines gives unprecedented properties, including the potential for added chemical functionality and improved material characteristics through non-traditional hydrogen bonding. BIOPYRANIA will use this knowledge to develop new classes of pyrazine based polyamide and polybenzimidazole polymers, copolymers, and blends in a safe and sustainable way from lab to pilot scale. These pyrazine-based materials have the potential to revolutionize high-performance applications, with a focus on the automotive and green hydrogen sectors. With the electrification of the automotive industry, lightweight, high-performance materials are more and more crucial, and BIOPYRANIA polyamides are promising candidates. In the green energy market, there is a growing demand for clean hydrogen production. Electrolyzers and fuel cells play a key role in this process, and BIOPYRANIA aims to enhance the performance and sustainability of anion exchange membranes that are used therein with pyrazine based polybenzimidazoles. Recycling of these materials will enhance their circularity profile. The developments will be supported and accelerated by digital methodologies, environmental, toxicological, techno-economic and social impact studies. The BIOPYRANIA consortium is a robust partnership of 2 ACAs, 2 RTOs, 7 SMEs, and 2 industrial partners.