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.

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. Roel Vleeschouwers MSc. Nationality: Belgian Education: Biochemical/chemical engineering Function: Business Development Manager Organisation: VITO Working on: Lignin valorization Motivation: contribute to a more sustainable world Dr. Nathan Bowden Nationality: American/United States of America Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering and Process Technology from Wageningen University Function: Senior Business Developer and EU Coordinator Organisation: TNO Working on: Sugars to bio-aromatics Motivation: Transitioning to a sustainable society is a priority and a circular economy is a goal that we must achieve. In order to do this we need to work together to develop new technologies and processes for industry that make the products we use every day. Biorizon is exactly the place where we can do this and I am proud to be able to contribute to this international effort. Dr. Kelly Servaes Nationality: Belgium Function: Project Manager Lignin - BioAromatics Organization: VITO Jord Blokker Nationality: Dutch Education: Bsc. Chemistry, MBA-candidate Function: Business developer Organization: TNO Working on: Developing a sustainable green proposition for the industry. Motivation: Creating a sustainable world by facilitating the shift from fossil to renewable sources for the industry. Emke Mol, MSc. Nationality: Dutch Function: Marketing & Communication Manager 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 renewable aromatics with premium functionalities. Motto: Love it, beat it or leave it: love what you do and do what you love! Marc Crockatt BSc (Hons) Nationality: Scottish Education: Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland. Function: Chief Technologist Sugars to Aromatics 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. Ir. Peter Wolfs Nationality: Dutch Education: Chemical Engineer Function: Market Director Chemical Industry, Circular Economy & Environment Organisation: TNO Dr. Lars Brüll Nationality: Dutch Education: Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Utrecht University Function: Research manager Biobased and Cicular Technologies Organisation: TNO Working on: Energy and Materials transition Motivation: Facilitating and optimizing research groups to make the best impact and contribute to a more sustainable world. Ir. Bert Bouwman Nationality: Dutch Education: TU Eindhoven, semiconductor technology Function: Unit Manager Sustainable Chemistry Organisation: VITO Working on: Strategy and management of Sustainable Chemistry Program VITO. Motivation: Strong belief in economic viable solutions for sustainable resources and processes in the chemical industry. Motto: Find solutions, not excuses Dr MSc. Ir. Sergio Rios Nationality: Argentinian Education: PhD in Chemical, Process and Environmental Engineering, URV Spain Function: Scale-up consultant Biomass and Energy Transition Organisation: TNO Working on: Lignocellulosic biomass to fuels, energy and high-value chemicals through thermochemical conversion into a biorefinery framework/ process design and scale-up. Motivation: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”– Albert Einstein, Physicist Ing. Ivan Bakker Nationality: Dutch Education: Organic Chemistry at Hogeschool Leiden Function: Research Technician Organisation: TNO Working on: The conversion of biomass sugars to aromatics via furanics. Motivation: Doing research to contribute to a more sustainable future. Ir. PDEng Stefania Luzzi Nationality: Italian Education: M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, PDEng in Process and Product Design at Eindhoven University of Technology Function: Research Scientist Organisation: TNO Working on: Techno-economic and sustainability assessments of different biobased processes. Motivation: Contributing to a greener planet by developing innovative sustainable processes. Ing. Margaux Tellez Nationality: Dutch Education: BSc in Chemistry, Hogeschool Utrecht Function: Research Assistant Organisation: TNO Working on: The conversion of biomass sugars to aromatics via furanics. Motivation: My interest in chemistry and sustainability stem from growing up on the island Bonaire in the Caribbean. By noticing the beaches filled with plastic and the coral bleaching on our reefs, I wanted to work towards a sustainable industry and society. Dr.ir. Jan Kees van der Waal Nationality: Dutch Function: Sr. Scientist/Consultant Organization: TNO Education: PhD Delft University of Technology Currently working on: Bio-Aromatics from Sugars Motivation: Bringing a sustainable future closer everyday! 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. 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. 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. Sandra Corderí Gándara Nationality: Spanish Education: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Vigo (Spain) Function: Researcher Organisation: VITO Working on: Lignin downstream processing (fractionation, solubilization, purification, depolymerization) for further valorization into bio-based chemicals and materials. Motivation: Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable resources is key for the development of a sustainable industry and society. I am passionate about making a small contribution to this transition. Christos Tsekos Nationality: Greek Education: PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology Function: Lead Scientist - Pyrolysis Organisation: TNO Working on: Developing technologies and methods for the production of valuable chemicals from the thermochemical conversion of waste/residual streams. Motivation: Contributing to a sustainable future for society and industry. Dr. Ilona van Zandvoort Nationality: Dutch Education: PhD in Chemistry Function: Scientist biorefinery Organisation: TNO Working on: Thermochemical conversion of lignin-rich streams for the production of chemicals Motivation: Contributing to a sustainable society! Dr. Jaime Gracia Vitoria Nationality: Spanish Education: Ph.D. in chemistry Function: Researcher lignin depolymerization and applications Organisation: VITO Working on: lignin modification and depolymerization for its implementation in polymer materials as replacement of fossil based building blocks. Motivation: It is very pleasant to work on topics that tends to turn the chemical and polymer industry more sustainable contributing also to a circular economy. Ing. Richard van Someren Nationality: Dutch Education: Organic Chemistry, HLO Utrecht Function: Senior Researcher Organisation: TNO Working on: The conversion of biomass sugars to aromatics via furanics. Motivation: What drives me is the chemical research that eventually contributes to a more sustainable future. Ing. Arjan Langen Nationality: Dutch Education: Laboratory Education Function: Senior Process engineer Organisation: TNO Working on: Develop engineering- and process technology in the Pyrena/Pypo pilot plant. Transform lignin rich biomass into valuable biocrude derivates by pyrolysis followed by staged condensation. Motivation: Transform dreams and ideas in tangible objects to benefit society. Bastian de Bes Nationality: Dutch Education: HLO Function: Research manager Sustainable Process and Energy Systems Organisation: TNO Working on: Energy Transition Motivation: I would like to contribute to a more sustainable world, a place to live in for our children and grandchildren. Dr. Olga Kattan Nationality: German Education: PhD in Membrane Technology (Universiteit Twente, NL), MSc in Biotechnology (Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg, DE), BSc in Chemical Engineering (UCA, El Salvador). Function: Project Manager - Biorefinery Organisation: < TNO Working on: Development of biorefinery processes using lignocellulosic and macro-algal biomass to produce fuels, energy and high-value chemicals. Hydrothermal conversion of biogenic residues to bioenergy carriers and parallel recovery of value-added products. Motivation: Cooperation and building relationships of trust is key for the development and establishment of a biobased economy. I enjoy bringing partners and stakeholders from all corners together to generate ideas that feed the strategy, turn these ideas into an achievable plan and lead it to success. Carlos Mourao Vilela Nationality: Portuguese Education: Chemical Engineering Function: Project Manager-Scientist Organisation: TNO Working on: Biomass gasification and product gas upgrading Motivation: Contribute to a better harmony between the humankind and the nature. Dr. Evert Boymans Nationality: Dutch Education: Chemical Engineering Function: Scientist Organisation: TNO Working on: Biofuels production, Fischer-Tropsch, bio-BTX production through gasification. Motivation: Contribute to the energy transition and working on/with new technologies. Dr. Ir. Eleni Liakakou Nationality: Greek Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering, MSc in Chemical Technology, Diploma in Chemical Engineering Function: Research scientist Organisation: TNO Working on: Renewable fuels & chemicals production via catalytic upgrading of syngas, from biomass & waste thermochemical conversion. Motivation: Contributing to a more sustainable future through novel processes and technologies. Ir. Roger Blokland, MBA Nationality: Dutch Function: CEO Biorizon spin-off Relement Organization: TNO & Biorizon spin-off Relement Education: MSc Chem Eng, Delft University of Technology & MBA, RSM Erasmus University. 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 business goals and creating a win-win for all our stakeholders. Monique Wekking MSc. Nationality: Dutch Function: CCO Biorizon spin-off Relement Organisation: TNO & Biorizon spin-off Relement Education: Organic chemistry, University of Amsterdam 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. Stefano Iannacone Ir, MBA Nationality: Italian Education: MSc in Analytical Chemistry (University of Molise, IT), MSc in Water Technology (chemical engineering and biotechnology) (Wageningen University, NL) & MBA (Rotterdam School of Management, NL). Function: CTO Organisation: TNO’s Biorizon spin-off Relement Working on: My work spans from finding smart process solutions to engineer the elegant chemistry of synthesis of 3MPA and HMA from furanics, (developed within the Biorizon programme), to find motivated and reliable manufacturing partners that will help us scale-up and optimize our process for a faster, cost/efficient market launch of Relement’s bio aromatics. Motivation: I really like to think I am an optimist who believes in a bright future and ourability to build it together. My WHY is to get inspired using science and technology to transform society, striving to harness the knowledge, insight, skills, and experience to create bold opportunities that have a tangible and positive impact on the world, making life a little brighter for all. Honored by the opportunity given to bring the bio aromatics and its chemistry to market in Relement, I am extremely motivated to achieve this goal. Motto: “The object of life is not to side with the majority, instead is to escape finding oneself joining the ranks of clinically insane” Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor 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.