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Journal of Industrial and Environmental Chemistry | Volume 2
GREEN CHEMISTRY &
TECHNOLOGY
7th International Conference on
J u n e 1 8 - 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 | D u b l i n , I r e l a n d
Hans Heeres, J Ind Environ Chem 2018, Volume 2 | DOI: 10.4066/2591-7331-C1-002
BIO4PRODUCTS: CREATING
SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES FOR
PROCESSING INDUSTRY
Hans Heeres
BTG Biomass Technology Group, Netherlands
Biomass is a sustainable feedstock for the production of high added
value chemicals and materials, and will play an important role in the
transition of the European process industry to a sustainable process
industry. However, for the optimal utilization of these bio-resources the
fractionation of the biomass on basis of functionalities is required. The
innovative approach of Bio4Products is to apply fast pyrolysis to enable
the fractionation of the bio-resource, but keeping the key chemical
functionalities in separate, depolymerized fractions. In an earlier project,
a bench-scale fractionation unit was constructed to process 12 kg/h of
pyrolysis oils and produce raw-materials for further upstream processing.
Currently this continuous bench scale fractionation facility is being scaled
up from a TRL-5 to TRL-6-7. The construction of the pilot-plant with a
pyrolysis oil processing capacity of the 3 t/d has started, and should be
finished in Q2 of 2018. Subsequently, Bio4Products will demonstrate the
use of the resulting intermediate processing streams for the production
of wood preservation products, moulding resins, phenolic resins and
roofing material as cost-effective renewable alternatives for fossil
resources in the conventional products (30-100% substitution). Like for
the fractionation, each of the steps in the whole chain has at least been
proven on bench-scale (TRL5) and should reach TRL 6-7 by execution
of this project. The feedstock flexibility will be shown by demonstrating
the complete chain for four different biomass resources (residual)
representative for the majority of biomass resources available in Europe.
Both the sugar and lignin stream can be produced in non-concentrated
form, or canoptionally be further treated in subsequent processing. For the
wood modification, the dilute sugar stream is used, while for the moulding
resins a more concentrated sugar stream is desired. The untreated lignin
can be readily used in phenolic resins, while a concentrated (solid) stream
is desired for roofing material. Only for the optional resin extraction an
additional solvent is applied, which will be recycled. The project, which
began in September 2016 will run for four years, and is funded by the
sustainable process industry through resource and energy efficiency
(SPIRE) programme, under the EU framework programme Horizon 2020.
In this contribution an update will be given on the construction of the
pilot-plant and the applications of the various fractions.
Hans Heeres graduated in 2003 and got his PhD
in 2010 (both in Chemical Engineering at the Uni-
versity of Groningen). He worked on asymmet-
ric homogenous catalyzed hydrogenation- and
hydro-acylation reactions and on the develop-
ment of a one-pot synthesis of γ-valerolactone
from sugars. Since joining BTG as a Researcher
in 2010, his main expertise and work field is in
the recovery and production of valuable chemi-
cals and products from biomass derived solids
and liquids, and the chemical/physical analysis
of intermediates, building blocks and final prod-
ucts.
BIOGRAPHY