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.

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.

1. Exclusive access to our online Biorizon Community Library with current market analyses & event reports.
2. Exclusive access to Member Only Events, specifically dedicated to functionalized biobased aromatics.
3. Exclusive subscription to the Biorizon Community newsletter.
4. Exclusive access to our Biorizon Community members only LinkedIn group.
5. The (optional) opportunity to include your company logo in the Biorizon Community Member Section.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us. 

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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