News
04-03-2021
Biorizon scientists publish novel, efficient routes toward bio-aromatics in Angewandte Chemie & Green Chemistry
We are proud that research by Biorizon’s lead scientist Marc Crockatt was recently published in the leading journals Angewandte Chemie and, together with Biorizon’s senior scientist Dr. Jan Kees van der Waal, Green Chemistry. Biorizon co-initiator TNO and Utrecht University have developed a more efficient way to convert biomass into industrially important bio-aromatics. Furthermore, they have demonstrated, for the first time, that furfural can be directly converted to bio-aromatics.
Angewandte Chemie
Biorizon co-initiator TNO and the research group of Prof. dr. Pieter Bruijnincx from Utrecht University have developed a more efficient way to convert biomass into industrially important bio-aromatics using Diels-Alder chemistry. The key is utilizing feedstocks that significantly increase atom efficiency while reducing an inefficient detour that is required for more traditional approaches. This improves the techno-economics and reduces the product price.
This new route utilizes two non-edible sugar-derived bio-based feedstocks which are currently either produced commercially or are in the demonstration phase. This increases chances of scale-up and reduces the time to market.
The work links two chemical reactions in a ‘tandem conversion’ to ensure the production of the desired material at once, instead of a mixture of 4 potential products. In practice, the desired product is withdrawn from the reaction mixture and the unwanted by-products are converted back into the raw material. By repeating this procedure until all raw materials have been converted, it is possible to selectively produce the desired product.
This collaboration has resulted in a patent application and the research was recently published in the leading scientific journal Angewandte Chemie (impact factor 12.959). Work is ongoing to scale-up and further validate the process.
Green Chemistry
Furthermore, Biorizon co-initiator TNO and the research group of Prof. dr. Pieter Bruijnincx from Utrecht University have recently demonstrated, for the first time, that furfural can be directly converted to bio-aromatics.
Furfural, commonly produced from sugarcane bagasse and corn cobs, is seen as being a key platform chemical for the realization of a sustainable chemical industry. It was previously thought that this molecule was unreactive to the type of Diels-Alder chemistry that is required to produce bio-aromatics. This has resulted in inefficient ‘detours’ being applied, increasing costs and reducing atom- and feedstock-efficiency.
Key to the new development is the use of the most sustainable solvent: water. The work opens the door to production of a range of bio-aromatic products and other furfural-derived products with improved sustainability.
This research was recently published in the scientific journal Green Chemistry of the Royal Society of Chemistry (impact factor 9.480) with Biorizon’s Marc Crockatt and Dr. Jan Kees van der Waal amongst the authors.
Contact
If you want to know more about this research, please contact lead scientist Marc Crockatt at marc.crockatt@tno.nl or +31 (0)6 46 84 74 02.
See also:
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.
Biorizon Presents Virtual Reality Model of its Biomass to Bio-aromatics Lab at the Green Chemistry Campus
Biorizon presents a virtual reality model of TNO's biomass to bio-aromatics lab in the demo facility of the Green Chemistry Campus in Bergen op Zoom. By ‘walking through’ the model and by clicking on the hot spots you get detailed information about the continuous flow Diels-Alder skid, condensation skid, biphasic reactor & 20l batch reactor. A unique experience!
Community
Biorizon aims to be the reliable source for information on functionalized biobased aromatics and to provide excellent networking opportunities.
For partners and companies that want to consider joining our Shared Research Center we've created a community where you can find relevant information concerning functionalized biobased aromatics.
For whom?
Global leaders as well as SME's in the fields of feedstock, conversion, equipment, intermediate and end products are invited to join Biorizon's Community.
Benefits
By joining the Biorizon Community you get exclusive access to current knowledge and developments in the field of functionalized biobased aromatics.
- Exclusive access to our online Biorizon Community Library with current market analyses & event reports.
- Exclusive access to Member Only Events, specifically dedicated to functionalized biobased aromatics.
- Exclusive subscription to the Biorizon Community newsletter.
- Exclusive access to our Biorizon Community members only LinkedIn group.
- The (optional) opportunity to include your company logo in the Biorizon Community Member Section.
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