Fermenters play a key role in the application of biopolymers. They are not only widely used in biopharmaceuticals and vaccine production, but are also seen in the production of biodiesel, bioplastics and other biopolymers. Below are details of the use of fermenters in some specific applications:

Biodiesel production

As the global supply of traditional fossil fuels dwindles, there is a growing demand for sustainable fuel production. In order to reduce dependence on imported oil and minimize greenhouse gas emissions, there is an urgent need for a cleaner and more readily available energy substance. Microalgae have become the preferred bioenergy feedstock due to their fast reproduction, short cultivation period, no need for arable land and low water consumption. Almost all algae produce lipids, which account for 1-85% of the weight of biomass. Under low nitrogen conditions, a “lipid-triggered” process allows some algae to start accumulating lipids inside their cells. The lipids produced by microalgae are usually triacylglycerols, also known as TAG, which are converted to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), known as biodiesel.

Cell and tissue cultures of marine organisms, especially microalgae and macroalgae, are one of the world's hotspots for research, and some of the secondary metabolites, such as halogenated terpenes, are among the more widely studied ones. INNOVA's plant fermenters offer excellent control of all parameters of the light-culture process.

Bioplastics production:

Utilization of Salinophilic Bacteria: The research team utilized salinophilic bacteria for PHA production. The ability of these bacteria to survive in extreme environments reduces the problem of contamination during fermentation and allows for a relatively open production process without the need for complex sterilization operations.

Construction of chassis cells: Sump cells capable of efficiently producing PHA were constructed by modifying the genes of halophilic bacteria. These cells are capable of converting renewable biomass such as glucose and starch into PHA.

Industrial scale-up and production: The research team also addressed key issues in the industrial scale-up process, such as the enhancement of the fermentation process and the modification of the bacterial morphology, making it possible to move from lab-scale to industrial-scale production. Already, companies have built 200-ton fermenters and conducted successful PHA production tests.

Production of environmentally friendly materials: PHA has good biocompatibility, biodegradability and thermal processing properties, and is suitable for use in a variety of fields such as degradable plastic packaging, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and bioenergy. The use of fermenters to produce PHA helps to reduce dependence on traditional petroleum-based plastics, thereby reducing environmental pollution.

The widespread use of fermenters demonstrates their importance in the field of biotechnology and biopolymers, where they not only increase production efficiency, but also help to realize more sustainable and environmentally friendly production methods.