Initiators
Biorizon is a cross-border initiative between TNO and VITO and is part of Circular Biobased Delta. Biorizon aims to include the global leaders in the fields of feedstock, conversion, equipment and end products as participants in the Shared Research Center, based on the open innovation methodology.
Biorizon is located at the Green Chemistry Campus in Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands, at the heart of industries between Antwerp and Rotterdam. Additionally Biorizon is operating research laboratories on the VITO premises in Mol, Belgium.
For the initiators, Biorizon is a unique opportunity to accelerate the innovation required and, in doing so, contribute to the realization of the biobased economy.
TNO from the Netherlands and VITO from Belgium, who have years of experience with this form of collaboration, are supplying the researchers. They deploy their knowledge and experience in the field of biotech, thermochemistry, chemistry and process technology. Furthermore, they work together closely with a select group of academic organizations around the world.
About TNO
TNO is an independent research organization that, on the basis of its expertise and innovations, makes an important contribution to the competitive strength of businesses and organizations, the economy and the quality of society in its entirety. TNO occupies a unique position thanks to its versatility and its capacity to integrate this knowledge.
About VITO
VITO is a leading European independent research and technology organisation in the areas of cleantech and sustainable development, elaborating solutions for the large societal challenges of today.
About Green Chemistry Campus
Center for Open Chemical Innovation and headquarters of Biorizon, ever since the start in 2013. The Green Chemistry Campus, located on the SABIC site in Bergen op Zoom is an incubator where businesses accelerate their bio-based innovations on the cutting edge of agro and chemistry.
About Circular Biobased Delta
Circular iobased Delta is the collaboration of businesses, authorities and knowledge institutes in the South West Netherlands. Under the slogan 'Agro meets Chemistry' the Biobased Delta is working on up-grading agro-residuals in bio-based innovations. Biobase-Europe (Ghent-Terneuzen) is also involved and, over time, we want to reinforce the largest chemical cluster in the world, ARRR (Antwerp-Rotterdam-Rhein-Ruhr). This fits in perfectly with European policy that aims to strengthen these regions according to the principal of smart specialization.
See also:
People
Please meet Biorizon's team! Ing. Joop Groen MBA Nationality: Dutch Education: Chemical Technology & MBA. Function: Director Organisation: Biorizon Working on: The growth of Biorizon and especially contracting industrial partners as well as additional RTO’s to strengthen the program, gain critical mass and increase shared intelligence. Motivation: Working together closely with industry and other organisations, pushing the limits of new innovative sustainable technology and 'making it happen', so to convert new technologies into profitable business for the participating companies! Prof.dr.ir. Jaap Kiel Nationality: Dutch Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering, University of Twente Function: Horizon Manager Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass to Bio-Aromatics Organisation: TNO Working on: Developing the Biomass R&D programme in close collaboration with industry partners, other R&D institutes and the experts in thermochemical biomass conversion, including the expansion of R&D activities in Horizon 1 of Biorizon. Motivation: I enjoy to contribute to shaping the biobased economy jointly with industry and other organisations by developing innovative sustainable technologies and support their market implementation. Dr. ir. Paul Könst Nationality: Dutch Education: PhD in Organic Chemistry – Biocatalysis, Wageningen University Function: Horizon Manager Sugars to Bio-Aromatics Organisation: TNO Working on: Establishing technology that enables commercial value chains from residual sugars to furan buildings blocks and bio-aromatics by setting up shared research with industrial and research partners, in dialogue with all stakeholders involved. Motivation: I enjoy contributing to the realization of new techno-economic value chains that allow for a sustainable industry and, thereby, a sustainable society. Dr. ir. Karolien Vanbroekhoven Nationality: Belgium Education: PhD in Applied Biotechnology, KULeuven Function: Horizon Manager Lignin to Bio-Aromatics Organisation: VITO Working on: Use of sustainable resources like biomass, algae, carbon dioxide replacing fossil ones and developing biotech processes using these resources as well as intensify them by integration of separation and conversion, by reusing the biocatalyst and by overall optimization of the process efficiency. Motivation: Looking to the great opportunities and challenges in the bioeconomy, I get excited about the new, sustainable world ahead of us and the small contribution I can make to that! Connecting different people, with different backgrounds and realizing real innovations, that’s what makes my heart beats faster. Luisa F. Flechas Nationality: Colombian-American Function: Business Developer Biomass & Energy Transition Organisation: TNO Education: Chemical Engineer, MSc. in Sustainable Energy Systems Management - EUREC - The Association of European Renewable Energy Research Centers Currently working on: New business development in biorefinery technologies. Motivation: "I undoubtedly believe in an energy transition towards a biobased economy limiting fossil-fuel dependency. A transition that requires the implementation of new green and cleaner technologies, in combination with existing ones, that eventually will require retrofitting. The clock is ticking, and innovation is needed to lead the pathway working hand-to-hand with the industry, local and governmental sectors in order to achieve a sustainable future". Monique Wekking, MSc. Nationality: Dutch Function: Sr. Business Development Manager Sugars to Bio-Aromatics & CCO Biorizon spin-off Relement Organisation: TNO & Biorizon spin-off Relement Education: Organic chemistry, University of Amsterdam Currently working on: Setting up shared research with industrial parties and other relevant associations and stakeholders to convert organic heterogenic municipal waste into building blocks for furanics and bioaromatics. Motivation: I get enthusiastic to bring (competitive) parties together and convince them to collaborate in shared research towards profitable bioaromatics business together. I believe co-creation and a co-operate attitude accelerates such business. Ir. Roel Vleeschouwers Nationality: Belgian Education: MSc Biochemical Engineering Function: Business Development Manager Organisation: VITO Working on: My main activities are related to bringing the Biorizon technological developments towards the industry. This implies the valorisation of the expertise and know-how in contract research and collaborative projects and the transfer of our developments to the industry within the structure of Biorizon. In this sense also the broadening of the Biorizon community is one of the major goals. Motivation: To increase the impact of Biorizon in the context of the biobased economy and in close collaboration with relevant industrial partners. Dr. Kelly Servaes Nationality: Belgium Function: Project Manager Lignin - BioAromatics Organization: VITO Ir. Roger Blokland, MBA Nationality: Dutch Function: Senior Business developer & CEO Biorizon spin-off Relement Organization: TNO & Biorizon spin-off Relement Education: MSc Chem Eng, Delft University of Technology & MBA, RSM Erasmus University. Currently working on: Finding enthusiastic partners to achieve our goal of realizing a commercial production unit for biobased aromatics by 2025. For this goal Shared Research Center Biorizon is interested to talk to suppliers of waste biobased feedstock, new users of biobased aromatic compounds and other potential stakeholders such as financiers, support & funding organizations, engineering & licensing companies, etc. Motivation: Foremost I am very motivated by helping to realize a sustainable chemical industry and the ability to make a positive contribution to a fully renewable and sustainable society through the impact of my work. I really enjoy working in this complicated, cutting edge scientific landscape and at the same time manage the overall Biorizon business goals and creating a win-win for all our stakeholders. Emke Mol, MSc. Nationality: Dutch Function: Marketing & Communication Green Chemistry Campus & Biorizon. Education: Tilburg University, Communication- & Information sciences. Currently working on: public relations, stakeholder management and event coordination. Motivation: Contribute to a more sustainable world by creating awareness and interest from stakeholders and the media for biobased developments at the Green Chemistry Campus and Biorizon. Motto: Love it, beat it or leave it: love what you do and do what you love! Ir. Marc Crockatt Nationality: Scottish Education: Organic Chemistry at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland. Function: Technical Lead & Innovator. Organisation: TNO Working on: The conversion of biomass sugars to aromatics via furanics; predominately on the conversion of furanics to aromatics. Motivation: I appreciate the beauty and complex elegance of cyclic systems, and the carbon cycle is one of the most important in life. Being at the forefront of the research, and developing ideas, to solve what is without doubt one of the biggest modern problems not only stimulates me, but gives me an enormous sense of reward. Dr. Richard Vendamme Nationality: French Function: Senior researcher – Biopolymers Organization: VITO Education: PhD Polymers, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Mainz, Germany); Master in Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Universtité Lille I (Lille, France). Currently working on: bioaromatics and biopolymers development using lignin oils as building blocks. Started a lab and build a team in 2018, get competitive research funds, and initiate projects related to application development. Motivation: Creating breakthroughs and Building an original career pathway at the crossroad of technology, academia and business. Dr. Peter Steunenberg Nationality: Dutch Education: PhD in Organic Chemistry, EPFL Lausanne Function: Senior Organic Chemist Organization: TNO Working on: Scale-up chemistry from lab to (mini)-pilot, preparing the process for higher level of TRL. Most of the time working on scale-up in Bergen op Zoom, maintaining the site and get new equipment up and running safely. Also involved in R&D activities in Delft. Motivation: After a post-doc in Wageningen in Biobased chemistry, I would like to contribute to these kind of developments, certainly if they are so close to your home! Dr. Kathy Elst Nationality: Dutch Function: Senior researcher solvolysis and mild extraction Organization: VITO Education: PhD physics Currently working on: The development of processes to separate and purify added value components from different types of biomass streams, including biomass waste/side streams and algae. The main focus lies on the application of green solvents and innovative pressurized processes. Ir. Berend Vreugdenhil Nationality: Dutch Education: M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering Function: Innovation manager gasification Organization: TNO Working on: Gasification as a platform to convert biomass into valuable products, such as Green Gas, fuels and chemicals. These routes are exciting and often interlinked. Motivation: Sustainability is key for the continuing development of the Netherlands, Europe and our planet. Sustainable routes based on gasification are fun, new and the right combination of engineering and chemistry. Dr. Paul de Wild Nationality: Dutch Education: PhD in Chemistry University of Groningen Function: Research scientist biorefinery Organisation: TNO Working on: Development of innovative thermochemical conversion, of biomass, including product recovery and down-stream processing for value-added chemicals, performance materials and energy applications within the framework of the biorefinery approach. The focus is on lignin valorisation because lignin is the major unexploited biopolymer and a rich potential source for renewable aromatics. Motivation: I am eager to contribute to the development of a sustainable society. Biomass is the sole source to replace fossil-based materials in the biobased economy and I will use my expertise and enthusiasm as a chemist to make it happen. Nothing has ever been achieved without passion! Jaap W. van Hal, Ph.D. Nationality: Dutch Education: Ph.D. in organometallic chemistry. Function: Innovation manager biorefinery. Organisation: TNO Working on: Developing economically viable, environmentally benign, sustainable biorefinery processes of lignocellulosic and macro-algal biomass using the cascading, total biomass utilisation, valorisation principle. Motivation: Pushing the start button of the first biorefinery plant. Dr. (Pavol) Bodis Nationality: Slovak Education: PhD degree in Physical Chemistry from University of Amsterdam Function: System integrator Organisation: TNO Working on: Designing, building and commissioning of the bi-phasic reactor Motivation: Bringing great ideas and dreams of scientists to reality Prof. dr. Ludo Diels Nationality: Belgian Education: PhD University of Antwerp (Belgium) Function: Chairman of the Advisory Board Working on: Coordination of research strategies. Establishment and coordination of collaborative projects.
Contact
Biorizon is located at the Green Chemistry Campus in Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands. Green Chemistry Campus Auvergnedijk 2 - Port 1 4612 PX Bergen op Zoom The Netherlands Furthermore Biorizon works at research locations of TNO in Delft, Petten and Alkmaar and of VITO in Mol and Antwerp. Business Development Managers: Horizon 1: Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass to Bio-Aromatics Jaap Kiel +31 (0) 6 26 43 49 26 Horizon 2: Sugars to Bio-Aromatics Paul Könst +31 (0) 6 25 04 13 79 Horizon 3: Lignin to Bio-Aromatics Karolien Vanbroekhoven +32 (0)4 93 51 42 70 Display larger map Please note that Biorizon is not related to BioHorizon, EU-funded network of National Contact Points (NCPs) for Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2. If you are looking for BioHorizon, please go to www.ncp-biohorizon.net
Biorizon
Because of climate change and exhaustion of the world’s natural resources, there is a need for sustainable alternatives to petrochemical aromatics. Shared Research Center Biorizon, an initiative of TNO and VITO, has been co-creating technologies for the commercial production of bio-aromatics since 2013. Aromatics are important building blocks for the chemical industry, and no less than 40% of chemicals are aromatic. Aromatic molecules bring essential functionalities such as durability and thermal and UV stability to products like plastics, resins and coatings. Together with industrial partners, Biorizon develops technologies to use residual biomass and recycle streams for the production of bulk and specialty aromatics. These bio-aromatics provide new functionality and an impactful and green alternative for current petrochemical products that are difficult to re-use or recycle, including paints, adhesives and lubricants. Biorizon collaborates with global feedstock providers, technology developers, process operators and brand owners to make commercial production of bio-aromatics feasible by 2025. 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 toward the next stage: demonstration. This makes Shared Research Center Biorizon the most advanced and valued research program in bio-aromatics worldwide. 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. PS: Please note that Biorizon is not related to BioHorizon, EU-funded network of National Contact Points (NCPs) for Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2. If you are looking for BioHorizon, please go to www.ncp-biohorizon.net
Biorizon is powered by
This project is made possible by a contribution from the European
Regional Development Fund (ERDF) within the framework of OP-Zuid.
