Biobased materials

On this page you may find examples of successful projects developed in the area of Biobased materials by Engineering researchers at the University of Groningen and public and private partners.

BioBTX
Researchers in the group Green Chemical Reaction Engineering that Prof. Erik Heeres leads at the Engineering and Technology Institute (University of Groningen) have worked together with two companies, KNN and Syncom, for the development from biomass of three basic chemicals benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) that are used in numerous chemical products such as epoxy resins, polycarbonate, aramid and other high-performance plastics. The project BioBTX, which holds relevance for both chemistry and the agro-industry, makes possible the production of green materials with high added-value from organic waste, and the reduction of CO2 emissions associated with the production of BTX.

Cellulose Assisted Dewatering of Sludge
The research group Products and Processes for Biotechnology in the Biobased Economy, under the leadership of Prof. Gert-Jan Euverink (Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen), works together with water authorities and industry (Attero, Brightwork, the Centre of Expertise for Water Technology, Waterschap Noorderzilvest, Wetterskip Fryslân’) in the project CADOS for the cellulose assisted dewatering of sludge. Wastewater carried via sewers to the treatment plant contains solid matter that includes a large proportion of cellulose. The cellulose stems from the use of toilet paper. The project will separate the solid matter containing cellulose that is present in the sewage water by means of a fine sieve and will use the separated solid matter for the dewatering of sewage sludge. CADoS principle is being applied to attempt to reduce significantly the use of chemicals at the treatment plant, to consume less energy and to lower sludge processing costs. CADoS will also increase the energy yield from biogas in the fermentation of sludge.