Page 165 - CW E-Magazine (6-8-2024)

News from Abroad News from Abroad

WHITE BIOTECHNOLOGY AEROSPACE INNOVATION
BASF and Austrian university develop computer-assisted Syensqo and Orbex partner to develop next-generation

model for faster scale up of biocatalytic processes space launch systems

Numerous factors infl uence the Syensqo, the former speciality “This agreement is more than just
effi ciency of enzymes used to produce chemicals arm of Solvay, and Orbex, a collaboration; it’s a commitment to
chemicals. Finding the optimal reaction a UK-based private space launch pushing the boundaries of what’s possi-
conditions therefore requires signifi cant services fi rm, have signed a collaboration ble for space launch technology, and we
time and resources. Researchers from agreement to enhance the development are excited to contribute our advanced
BASF, the Austrian Research Centre and deployment of next-generation materials to Orbex’s pioneering pro-
of Industrial Biotechnology (acib) and aerospace technologies. jects,” stated Mr. Marc Doyle, Business
the University of Graz in Austria have Executive Vice-President of Syensqo
co-developed a fundamentally new The partners will collaborate on Composite Materials.
computer-assisted model that can im- the integration of Syensqo’s advanced
prove enzyme performance and enable adhesive, composite and speciality Heanor Application Centre and exten- Mr. Phil Chambers, CEO of Orbex,
new biocatalytic production processes polymer materials into Orbex’s launch sive test lab capability, this partnership added, “Our partnership with Syensqo
to be scaled up faster from the lab to vehicles to drive advancements in the will focus on furthering the adoption of will enable us to develop one of the
industrial manufacturing. performance, durability and sustaina- advanced materials into the most chal- most advanced, low carbon, high per-
amounts of the desired end product data. This model makes it signifi cantly bility of orbital launch systems. lenging applications for space launch formance micro-launch vehicles in
Enzymes are proteins that perform from the starting materials, for exam- easier to determine the optimal com- systems, with a focus on weight reduc- the world, offering the small satellite
many functions in the human body and ple, fats,” said Dr. Seemayer. Without bination. Only a few preliminary lab “Through close technical collabo- tion, thermal resistance and enhanced industry fl exible, dedicated launches,
all other organisms. They are biologi- solvents, the enzymes are unable to fully tests, such as determining the unfolding ration involving support from Syensqo’s structural integrity,” the companies said. directly from the UK.”
cal catalysts that speed up chemical access the substances and transform curve of the enzyme, are necessary. The
reactions. Enzymes are involved in them into other materials. But if the obtained data are entered into the com- TACKLING PLASTIC POLLUTION
almost all metabolic processes in the solvent concentration or the tempera- puter model, which then computes the
body, such as the digestion of food or ture are too high, the enzymes lose their optimal combination of reaction tem- US to phase out single-use plastics from federal
the formation of cells and tissue. The structure and stop being active. On the perature and solvent concentration for
chemical industry also uses enzymes as other hand, if the concentration or the the best-possible enzyme performance. operations
biocatalysts in production processes. temperature are too low, this can reduce
product output. “In order to get the “This sounds simple, but it consi- The US government has announced and services in the world, the deci- The US administration said the
But enzymes are very sensitive and largest possible amounts of the desired derably improves the effi ciency of bio- plans to phase out single-use plastics sion could have a signifi cant impact on new procurement policies are the latest
stop working properly if, for example, product, we need to fi nd the optimal catalytic processes and gives us a new in all federal operations by 2035, as global markets, spurring industries to domestic effort aimed at addressing
the temperature is too high. “They are point for the enzyme, where both the understanding of enzymatic catalysis,” part of a broader effort to combat what develop new products and reducing the plastic pollution, and pointed to several
then no longer correctly folded and lose reaction temperature and the solvent Dr. Seemayer said. it deemed a rising global crisis. The planet-warming emissions associated policies it has announced that tackle
their three-dimensional structure, which concentration result in the highest phase-out would start with a goal to with plastic manufacturing. fossil-fuel intensive polymer produc-
means no further catalytic reactions possible activity,” Dr. Seemayer said. With this new method, different end federal procurement of single-use tion, recycling and removing plastic
can take place in their active centre,” enzymes can be compared more easily plastics from food service operations, “Plastic production and waste have that has washed up in oceans. For
explained Dr. Stefan Seemayer, global Regression model with each other, and their performance events, and packaging by 2027. doubled over the past two decades, example, it said the US Environmental
head of computational protein engineer- In the past, determining this optimal can be optimised. “This considerably littering our ocean, poisoning the air Protection Agency issued rules to limit
ing at BASF. However, enzymes also combination of temperature and solvent reduces our efforts to fi nd the most The announcement comes ahead of of communities near production faci- emissions from the production of chemi-
cannot function optimally when tem- concentration was a complex process suitable conditions for each new pro- the last scheduled round of negotiations lities, and threatening public health,” cals used to make plastics, and plans to
peratures are too low, producing lower involving many laboratory experi- duction process. We can therefore con- toward a global treaty to end plastic the US administration said in a invest $275-mn to improve recycling
volumes of the desired product. ments. Researchers from BASF, acib clude our research and development pollution set to start in Busan, Korea on statement. infrastructure.
and the University of Graz have deve- work in the laboratory more quickly November 25. Countries are still divided
The activity of the biocatalysts can loped a regression model as an extension and thus begin to scale up production on whether the deal should include caps According to the nonprofi t Oceana, The government also unveiled a
also be infl uenced by substances con- of conventional biochemical models. A faster. This signifi cantly lowers costs on plastic production. some 15-mt of plastic enter the oceans new strategy, detailed in an 83-page
tained in the reaction medium, such regression model is a statistical method and resource consumption, improving every year, including single-use items document, targeting plastic pollution
as solvents. “We need solvents so that used to analyse and predict biochemical the sustainability of biocatalysis,” Since the US federal government like bottles, packaging, takeout con- at the stages of production, processing,
the enzymes can quickly produce large reactions based on collected scientifi c Dr. Seemayer stressed. is the single largest buyer of goods tainers and bags. use, and disposal.

164 Chemical Weekly August 6, 2024 Chemical Weekly August 6, 2024 165

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