SETU's Department of Applied Science has been awarded €1.37million in funding for a groundbreaking international research project entitled ‘Sustainable Production of 3-Hydroxypropionic Acid and Biopolymers from Biomass.’
The project is undertaken in partnership with Kansas State University (USA), Purdue University (USA), and Ulster University (UK).
The research group has received this funding under the prestigious US-Ireland Research and Development Partnership, which aims to develop sustainable bioplastic alternatives using agro-industrial waste.
“This project is important for the growing relationship between the US and Ireland in advancing scientific research. At SETU and within the Department of Applied Science, we are proud to be at the forefront of this collaboration, driving innovation in sustainability and showcasing the vital role of international partnerships in tackling global challenges.”
Dr David Phelan, Head of Department of Applied Science at SETU
SETU’s Dr Adriana Neves will collaborate with Professor Jikai Zhao (KSU), Prof. Eun Joong Oh (PU), and Prof. Ye Huang (UK) in this tri-jurisdictional initiative that will take place over four years.
Funded in the Ireland by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the project focuses on converting waste materials like brewer’s spent grain, spent mushroom substrate, and corn stover into high-value bioplastic precursors and polymers - supporting a transition to a circular bioeconomy.
“By transforming agricultural waste into high-value bioplastics, this research represents a major step forward in the development of sustainable biomaterials. It supports the transition to a truly circular economy, where waste is not just managed, but reimagined as a valuable resource.”
Dr Adriana Neves , SETU lecturer and researcher.
This ambitious collaboration represents a major step toward reducing petroleum-based plastics and enhancing sustainability across key agricultural sectors in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the United States.