Sugar Horizon

In Horizon II, Biorizon co-initiator TNO uses expert knowledge on furan chemistry and Diels-Alder technology for the development of functionalized renewable bio-aromatics. Di-acids and tri-acids like phthalic acid and hemimellitic acid with novel functionalities can be used directly in a final application, have high economic value, and can be readily obtained from biomass without losing much of their intrinsic functionality. Local residual feedstock is used, which contributes to the efficient and responsible use of resources in industries where recycling is difficult or even impossible.

Process

Local residual feedstock, such as sludge, manure and agro-residue, which is rich in carbohydrates (C5-sugars), is converted into furfural. Furfural serves as intermediate for the route to renewable bio-aromatics. Via the versatile Diels-Alder technology platform, aromatics of choice can be obtained from furfural. By using various starting materials, a portfolio of >50 different renewable aromatics can be obtained for applications such as lubricants, polymers, adhesives, coatings and plastics.

Current focus

The focus of Horizon II has been twofold: technology is developed to convert residual biomass streams into furans, and the Diels-Alder chemistry platform is developed for various functional aromatics. At present, the production of three novel specialty circular aromatics, 3-methylphthalic anhydride (3MPA), hemi-mellitic acid (HMA) and 3-methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride (3MHHPA), is most advanced and available at the multikilogram scale. We gladly offer companies the opportunity to conduct application testing to evaluate the properties of these highly functionalized renewable aromatics. Promising applications for these novel renewable aromatics are in adhesives, polymers, coatings and lubricants, respectively.

More information

If you share our ambition and want to collaborate with our Shared Research Center, please join our community, visit the Biorizon headquarters at the Green Chemistry Campus in Bergen op Zoom (NL) or reach out to our business development managers.

Thermochemical Horizon

In Horizon I, Biorizon co-initiator TNO coordinates the development of thermochemical processes that enable sustainable bio-aromatics production as an integral part of biorefinery processing. The focus lies on cost-effective approaches to produce bio-aromatics as a co-product next to other chemicals, transport fuels, power and heat, or produce them from biorefinery residues like lignin. Chemical recycling of plastics into aromatic building blocks for the chemical industry is considered too within the framework of a transition to a circular bio-economy.

Process

Horizon I addresses two main technological development lines. The first comprises gasification combined with ethylene aromatization and selective extraction of BTX – benzene, toluene and xylene – for application as a chemical building block to produce e.g. polymers and coatings. The second line focuses on pyrolysis closely coupled with product fractionation through staged condensation or with catalytic upgrading. Here lignin and lignin-rich biomass are feedstocks of main interest, and the resulting aromatic mixtures can be applied as functional sustainable building blocks in a wide range of applications that include bitumen, resins and coatings.

Current focus

Gasification combined with ethylene aromatization and selective extraction of BTX has been validated successfully on a scale of 5 kg/h biomass input, and the prospects of the high-quality BTX as a green feedstock for the chemical industry have been assessed. Demonstration of the technology will be the next step. In the pyrolysis line, a 5 kg/h pilot consisting of a pyrolizer (PYRENA) + product fractionation is being installed at the Green Chemistry Campus for lignin depolymerization. This pilot unit allows further process optimization as well as the production of sizable product quantities, to be implemented in application development trials together with industry. In parallel, the start-up BioBTX is focusing on the combination of pyrolysis and catalytic upgrading.

More information

If you share our ambition and want to collaborate with our Shared Research Center, please join our community, visit the Biorizon headquarters at the Green Chemistry Campus in Bergen op Zoom (NL) or reach out to our business development managers.

Samples

Thanks to Biorizon’s high-quality facilities, specialized knowledge, years of experience and the successful involvement of the entire bio-aromatics value chain, we manage to produce bio-aromatics continuously (on a kg/h scale). We are currently validating our continuous processes and working with industry partners toward the next stage: demonstration. This makes Shared Research Center Biorizon the most advanced and valued research program in sustainable bio-aromatics worldwide. We offer the chemical industry an excellent platform to make the transition to a circular bio-economy.

Do you want to contribute to our mission to enable commercial production of bio-aromatics by 2025? Come and join us! Take a look at Biorizon's samples, and reach out to our business development managers for more information.

Facilities

Shared Research Center Biorizon has state-of-the-art facilities at its disposal. The facilities can be found at the following locations:

Calls for Participation

Do you want to contribute to our mission to enable commercial production of bio-aromatics by 2025? Come and join us! Take a look at the Biorizon calls for participation, and reach out to our business development managers for more information.