From Biomass to Performance: Circular Polymers, Coatings, and Bioactives

How do we move from “bio‑based” to bio‑based and best‑in‑class? This session showcases materials designed for performance and circularity, spanning polymers, coatings, and bioactives. Speakers will highlight green routes to value—from enzymatic amination of lignocellulose for selective amine production, protein films upcycled from cottonseed meals, and DNA–lipid self‑assemblies that deliver omniphobic, repulpable paper coatings, to dynamic polymer networks that self‑heal, adapt, and maintain strength. We’ll examine end‑of‑life by design through enzyme‑enabled PLA nanocomposites with tunable degradation and SuFEx‑built polysulfamates (“macroisosteres” of polyurethanes) that preserve mechanics while accelerating hydrolysis. Complementary talks explore oleochemical and essential‑oil‑based formulations—nanobiopesticides, bioherbicides, and antimicrobial phenolics—from locally sourced agricultural wastes, emphasizing low‑toxicity profiles and field relevance. Attendees will leave with strategies to connect feedstock, processing, properties, and programmed fate, accelerating adoption of circular materials in packaging, agriculture, and infrastructure.