The future of chemistry is biobased
As we shift away from traditional fossil resources, a new era of innovation is unfolding—one where biotechnology and renewable feedstocks transform how we create materials. Instead of mimicking old fossil-based reactions, this new wave of chemistry opens the door to entirely fresh, sustainable solutions. At the forefront of this transformation is the Better Biobased Polymer Network (B3PO). This is part of the funding line of the cutting-edge Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks, and forms a project within the framework of Joint Doctorates (JD). B3PO is all about pushing the boundaries of what's possible with biobased polymers and high-performance materials, directly supporting the EU’s Green Deal and climate goals.
Strategies for the next level of sustainable materials
This powerhouse consortium brings together top academic institutions, pioneering SMEs, and global leaders in enzymes, adhesives, and coatings—driving a collective mission to shape the chemistry of the 21st century. B3PO dives into two game-changing strategies for the next level of sustainable materials: direct modification of natural biopolymers and biotechnological production of custom-designed monomers. On one front, researchers are unlocking the potential of lignin—a tough, underused plant polymer—through enzymatic modification that blends smart extraction with precise chemoenzymatic tweaks. On the other hand, cutting-edge metabolic, enzyme, and bioprocess engineering converge to create biobased lactones, the building blocks for next-gen co-polyesters via sustainable ring-opening polymerization. But this isn’t just lab theory—B3PO is pushing these polymers into the real world, exploring their use in adhesives, coatings, biomedical 3D materials, and tracking how they break down in the environment. Transforming biomass into high-performance, functional polymers isn’t easy—it demands a new wave of scientists fluent in biology, chemistry, and engineering. And that’s exactly what B3PO is training: a new generation of innovators ready to reshape the materials' industry.
Double doctorates thanks to European partnerships
The B3PO double degree program is more than just a doctorate – it’s a launchpad for future leaders at the cutting edge of industrial biotechnology and polymer science. This unique program blends deep interdisciplinary research with top-tier training in creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking, all within a highly collaborative, cross-sector environment.
15 Doctoral candidates will earn prestigious double doctorate degrees, gaining hands-on experience across academia and industry, and emerging with standout profiles perfectly aligned with the needs of the European BioTech job market. Kicking off in January 2026, the project includes a standout opportunity: one doctoral student, supervised by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Selin Kara (Institute of Technical Chemistry at Leibniz University Hannover / TCI) will pursue a double doctorate in partnership with Graz University of Technology, under a formal Cotutelle Agreement.
21 International Partners: Consortia of 12 Universities and 9 Industries of 10 EU-Countries
- Funded by the European Union. HORIZON-MSCA-DN-2024 I Grant no.: 101226305
Project Global Sum: 4.3 Million Euros
