At the Campus, TNO will be working on bio-aromatics that can be applied in bitumen, rubber, marine fuels and resins. Now, all 3 horizons (research lines) of Biorizon are being represented at the Campus, that also functions as Biorizon’s headquarters. This further strengthens both Biorizon and the biobased economy in the region.
Bio-Aromatics
Shared Research Center Biorizon, an initiative of TNO and VITO, has been co-creating technologies for the production of bio-aromatics at the Green Chemistry Campus in Bergen op Zoom since 2013. Together with industrial partners, Biorizon creates and develops innovative chemical processes for the production of renewable aromatics from residual biomass.
TNO’s Energy Transition Unit (former ECN) is responsible for Biorizon’s Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass to Bio-Aromatics Horizon. Starting from lignin or lignin-rich feedstocks, the overarching goal is to thermally depolymerize the material via pyrolysis and recover the pyrolysis vapours in a limited number of fractions that can be deployed as biobased additives for applications such as bitumen, rubber, marine fuels, resins and as feedstock for extracting high-value bio-aromatics.
Call for expertise
Biorizon wants to actively involve industrial, governmental and academic partners interested in products and applications. TNO’s Energy Transition Unit is currently looking for expertise regarding characterization, separation and upgrading of specific pyrolysis fractions. This expertise is needed to further strengthen an existing consortium that aims to work on the valorization of an important Dutch agro-food residue via the PYRENA-PYPO technology.
If you think you can contribute or if you want to discuss other topics related to the thermochemical conversion of biomass to bio-aromatics, please contact Biorefinery & Upscaling Consultant Biomass & Energy Efficiency Sergio Rios.
Image: Green Chemistry Campus
