ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – March 28, 2025 – Two professors at the (ESF) are leading an international initiative to develop sustainable bioproducts from waste biomass. The National Science Foundation (NSF) is supporting these efforts with a $5 million grant to the Global Center for Sustainable Bioproducts (GCSB), an international research hub dedicated to developing sustainable bio-based solutions for environmental and economic challenges.

Drs. from the Department of Chemical Engineering, and , Department of Chemistry, are at the helm of the NSF Global Centers program that brings together experts from Canada, Finland, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Their goal is to create eco-friendly and economically viable alternatives to traditional plastics and composites.

GCSB's research focuses on four main areas:

• Sustainable Bio-Utilization: Transforming abundant biomass into valuable materials.
• Intrinsic Carbon Negativity: Ensuring processes help mitigate climate change.
• Economic Sustainability: Designing eco-friendly products that are also market-viable.
• Advancing Biorefining: Improving technologies for efficient bioproducts production.

The team is focused on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a biodegradable bio-based plastic from agricultural residues. By combining PHA with bio-fillers such as nanocellulose and nanolignin, they aim to develop materials for 3D and 4D printing. They will also work to ensure these new materials are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. ESF will lead the research and educational programs with a $1.45 million grant.

"By integrating cutting-edge science with industry applications, we’re building a sustainable future," said Yoo.

"Dr. Yoo and Dr. Leem's groundbreaking work is crucial for developing sustainable solutions that can transform industries and protect our environment,” said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. “Their leadership in this international initiative highlights ESF's commitment to innovative research with real-world impact.”

"This research bridges the gap between science and real-world solutions," said Leem.

GCSB is also committed to education and outreach, offering programs for students from K-12 to graduate levels, including hybrid STEM programs, summer research opportunities, and international internships.

This award highlights NSF's support for impactful global research. With backing from international agencies, GCSB's work aims to make a lasting impact on global sustainability.

Partnering institutions are the University of Tennessee, University of Iowa, Howard University, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Surrey, University of Strathclyde, Åbo Akademi University, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, and Hanyang University.

About SUNY ESF

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.

About the NSF Global Center for Sustainable Bioproducts (GCSB):

The GCSB is a collaborative research center formed by an international partnership of universities, industries, and government agencies. Its mission is to develop bio-based materials and processes that are both environmentally sustainable and economically competitive. By converting waste biomass into valuable materials such as bioplastics, the center aims to reduce reliance on fossil-based products and contribute to a circular bioeconomy.