3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / Genecis Turns Food Waste to Printable Bio-Plastic
revopoint

Genecis Turns Food Waste to Printable Bio-Plastic

September 27, 2018

Toronto start-up Genecis has developed a novel new way of harnessing microbes to turn food waste into bio-plastics. The process creates PHA plastics that can then serve as material for multiple applications like toys, flexible packaging, 3D printer filament and medical appliances. The project could serve as a sustainable approach to producing high quality thermoplastics.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are high quality biodegradable polymers that a bacteria can produce upon metabolisation. They can potentially serve as thermoplastics as well since they have desirable chemical properties. Additionally, they are easily recyclable as well, unlike many other bioplastics. While regular plastics degrade at a glacial timescale, PHAs can take a year on land and 10 under water. This is a massive improvement for environmental standards, even if it’s not perfect.

Related Story
Print Your City 3D Prints Outdoor Furniture From Recycled Plastic

“Many people throw bio-plastics into the recycling bin rather than the compost, but if it’s not a thermoplastic, it can’t be remoulded,” said founder and CEO Luna Yu. “This disrupts the physical properties of new recycled products — they will end up falling apart.”

The Genecis Process

There are 3 steps to Genecis’ PHA production technique. To start with, they employ various types of anaerobic bacteria that break down the food waste into their base components like fatty acids. This operates much in the same way as the process in our stomachs. In the next phase, they mix the fatty acids with a culture of aerobic bacteria that can produce PHAs in their cells. The first phase operates without oxygen while the second includes it. In the final phase, they break open the cells so they can collect and purify the plastic.

The process can be as quick as under a week and costs less than traditional methods of producing PHAs. This is especially impressive considering that Genecis are new a student start-up comprising University of Toronto engineers and graduates. Despite their relatively short time in the field (2 years), they have procured $330,000 in prize money from start-up competitions.

The company will open a demonstration plant later next year where they say they’ll be able to convert tons of plastic. Currently, the company is fine-tuning their process and creating the best possible environment for the process. This includes setting factors like setting the pH level temperature and amount of food that results in the best yield.

“Our goal is to create the highest value from organic waste,” said Yu. “Soon we will be able to synthesize speciality chemicals and other materials from organic waste, all at a lower cost than traditional production methods using synthetic biology. It’s an exciting time for us.”

Featured image and video courtesy of Genecis.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

3D Printed Resin Combines Rubber Flexibility with Plastic Strength, Surprising Scientists

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a 3D printing method that can create objects with both soft and hard... read more »

News
3D Printed Resin Combines Rubber Flexibility with Plastic Strength, Surprising Scientists

LPE Supports Queen’s Propulsion Laboratory with 3D Printed Rocket Engine Chamber

Students at Queen's University Belfast have developed what they describe as Ireland's first student-built liquid rocket engine. The Kelvin Mk.1, named after Belfast-born... read more »

3D Printing Metal
LPE Supports Queen’s Propulsion Laboratory with 3D Printed Rocket Engine Chamber

Dassault Systèmes and Patrick Jouin Unveil New 3D Printed Chair

Dassault Systèmes and French designer Patrick Jouin have unveiled Ta.Tamu, a 3D-printed chair developed using the company's 3DEXPERIENCE platform. The project represents a... read more »

News
Dassault Systèmes and Patrick Jouin Unveil New 3D Printed Chair

Endemic Architecture Debuts 3D Printed Homes in Rural California

A development of five 3D-printed homes called Corduroy Castles is currently under construction in Olivehurst, California, a rural town in Yuba County located... read more »

Construction
Endemic Architecture Debuts 3D Printed Homes in Rural California

3D Printed Replica of a 500-year-old Prosthetic Hand Hints at Life of a Renaissance Amputee

Researchers at Auburn University are using 3D printing technology to recreate Renaissance-era prosthetic devices, providing new insights into historical amputee experiences. The interdisciplinary... read more »

News
3D Printed Replica of a 500-year-old Prosthetic Hand Hints at Life of a Renaissance Amputee

United Utilities Expands 3D Printing for Water Infrastructure Operations

United Utilities is incorporating 3D printing technology into its operations following the completion of a two-year Water Industry Printfrastructure project. The initiative, funded... read more »

News
United Utilities Expands 3D Printing for Water Infrastructure Operations

New Frontier Aerospace Successfully Tests 3D-Printed Rocket Engine

New Frontier Aerospace has completed a series of hot-fire tests of its 3D-printed Mjölnir rocket engine, the company announced from its Kent, Washington... read more »

Aerospace
New Frontier Aerospace Successfully Tests 3D-Printed Rocket Engine

FRCE Innovation Lab Creates Rapid Solution for F-35 Fleet

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) has produced 2,000 O-ring installation tools for F-35 Lightning II aircraft using 3D printing technology. The project was... read more »

Military
FRCE Innovation Lab Creates Rapid Solution for F-35 Fleet

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing