BIONEERING THE FUTURE
THE beworm PROJECT
​
Since 1950, humans have produced about 8.3 billion tons of plastic. Instead of recycling or reusing it, we thought it would be
a good idea to litter in the environment. Well, we all know where that's headed. But nature came up with its own solution:
In the last years research has documented over 90 different organisms, microorganisms and biomolecules that are able to break down long-chain polymers.
​
beworm uses these bioagents to develop a biotic/biocatalytic recycling process, that decomposes oil-based plastics like polyethylene and closes the gap in the material cycle. In our first experiments we worked with waxworms, but the real magic is done by microorganisms and enzymes in their digestive system. That's why we are working on the isolation and optimization of PE-cleaving bioagents, aiming to develop a scalable, efficient and ressource-saving process.
BUT HOW DOES IT WORK?
Polyethylen is a polymer composed of long hydrocarbon chains
The outcome of
the process are the monomers or building blocks of polyethylene
Microorganisms
like fungi and bacteria
produce enzymes that can break up these long chains
​
The enzymes act on polyethylene as their substrate and degrade the material
Those monomers can be used for new
products and get back in to the circle
GREAT! SO I CAN LITTER WHEREVER I WANT?
MILESTONES
2019
2020
2021
Big Goal
THE BIONEERS
CURRENT LAB WORK
BENEFITS
The beworm-project is ambitious, as it enters unknown terrain. Only a few teams worldwide are working on biotic and biocatalytic recycling systems. But we think that it could really make a difference, because it:
BECOME A BIONEER
BUILD YOUR OWN INCUBATOR IN...
5 EASY STEPS!
You will only need a few simple things that you will find in the stores of your city to start your own worm farm!
Take good care of your worms and they will stun you with awesome results!
