Relement’s Post

The mission of Puroc is to add net value to the earth it operates on and the society it is part of, rather than take from it. This is an excellent example of how we want to achieve that. By setting up a research program investigating the added value of a bio based molecule over a crude oil based molecule, we added another step to the transition from crude oil to bio-based. At the same time, it offered an excellent platform for a large number of young students to be trained in the art of research and discover that bio-based can actually have technical advantages over crude oil based products. If you need help with your bio-based or circular chemistry, just knock on our door. #cocreation #sustainable #chemistry Marc Spekreijse

ASCC and EPFL study on potential bio-based food packaging! The researchers looked at cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) to see if they could be adapted for the potential of being used in food packaging. They found that it is possible by adding the right ingredients on a cellulosic level. This is an important step in the transition to environmentally-conscious packaging for a more sustainable world. ASCC student researchers Cong Chen, Jinwu Wang and Douglas Gardner, and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) Institute of Materials (IMX) Scientist Wenjing Sun article titled, “Tunable biocomposite films fabricated using cellulose nanocrystals and additives for food packaging” was published in Carbohydrate Polymers. This publication shares research for prospective bio-based food packaging using cellulose nanocrystals. This is an important step in the transition to environmentally-conscious packaging for a more sustainable world.   Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eXp48GMk #Nanocellulose #Nanocomposites #Biocomposite #Cellulose #BioFoodPackaging  #Packaging #FoodPackaging #CelluloseNanocrystals #CelluloseNanofibers #Biodegradable #CarbonNeutral #EndClimateChange #Sustainable #Sustainability #Innovation #Innovative

Here is a summary of my group’s research at HKUST over the past five years. We designed and synthesized porous polymers, including ionic covalent organic frameworks, to use as solid electrolyte interfaces, all- or quasi-solid-state electrolytes, and anion conduction membranes. I am so proud of my group members who went through a challenging time (2019-2021) and made remarkable results in energy research.  Please check it below. Of course, more exciting results are on the way!

Publication with K1-MET as a main author 🔬   The amount of electronic waste is increasing worldwide but the heterogeneity makes the recycling very complicated. Spent brewer’s yeast, a waste stream itself, can be used to selectively recover metals from mixed solutions in a process called biosorption. By optimizing the experimental conditions at laboratory scale, high recovery rates for aluminum, copper and zinc could be achieved in this environmentally friendly approach.   An open access article entitled “Spent brewer’s yeast as a selective biosorbent for metal recovery from polymetallic waste streams” was published in the peer-reviewed journal of Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology on 12 March 2024.   K1-MET GmbH, with Anna Sieber as a main author, was significantly involved in the writing of the paper. Visit our website for further information: https://lnkd.in/ectUtuDv #K1MET #research #forschung #publication #recycling #bioengineering #biotechnology

I am glad to share the last results obtained as a researcher at Universidade de São Paulo and FAPESP. By several studies, we showed that dry heating treatment (DHT) is a promising green technique that results in plastic materials with enhanced characteristics. However, the effect of this type of modification on its biodegradability and disintegration behavior was not described in the literature. The main results showed that depending on the conditions of DHT, the biodegradation process could also be improved.

Thrilled to share our latest publication on Angewandte Chemie! Our team has developed an innovative process to produce glycerol carbonate, a rising star in biosourced products. Glycerol carbonate offers many advantages over petroleum-based carbonates, with uses in lithium batteries, biolubricants, formulation agents, or as an alternative green solvent. However, despite its potential, the market for glycerol carbonate has been limited due to slow and expensive production process. Our hybrid approach, merging fundamental and applied organic chemistry, has led to a unique intensified process. Validated at the pilot scale through the technology of Corning Advanced-Flow Reactors, this process transforms glycidol, a direct derivative of glycerol and CO2, in presence of an organic catalyst, into glycerol carbonate. The efficiency of the process, completing in less than 30 seconds, surpasses all current methods for glycerol carbonate production. Check out the paper to see all the details: https://lnkd.in/ei5an-ZF BTW: the image below has been developed partially with the help of #AIart Angewandte Chemie | | University of Liège | CERM - Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules | Jean-Christophe Monbaliu | Christophe Detrembleur | bruno grignard | Claire Muzyka| Sébastien Renson | Michel Moutschen | Gauthier Eppe | Didier Mattivi | F.R.S. - FNRS

From experience I can say that speaking at conferences is a very important and rewarding way to forge connections within one's supply chain(s). There are opportunities within membership organisations to speak, and these are especially good for individuals who wish to engage with other researchers and technical experts in their fields. The RSC Applied Catalysis Group has excellent conferences throughout the year and these are ideal opportunities for speaking and presenting posters. Please check out our forthcoming events and submit your abstracts via the online event listings. We have two excellent events coming up in the next six months on the topics of digital chemistry and circular economy: https://lnkd.in/eEPhcfD3 #appliedcatalysis #catalysis #greenchemistry #digitalage #circulareconomy

W-BioCat (www.wbiocat.com) is a new consortium of leading labs and SMEs supported by the European Innovation Council to transform chemical #catalysis. The chemical industry is dominated by polluting and energy-intensive processes. By contrast, nature provides us with myriads of cheap and powerful catalysts for a wide range of desirable transformations. The problem is that many of these natural catalysts — known as #enzymes — are not suitable for work in research labs or industrial settings. The W-BioCat project will take on a chemical-production challenge that currently can only be addressed with significant energy and waste: the reduction of carboxylic acids. A group of unique enzymes that contain the heavy metal element tungsten (W) can perform this important reaction but are difficult to produce on a suitable scale. Our team at Delft University of Technology, led by Peter-Leon Hagedoorn, Caroline E. Paul, and Frank Hollmann, will address the challenges for the scalable production of W-enzymes. Together with bioinformatics input from Claudia Andreini of Università degli Studi di Firenze we will identify key enzymes that are necessary for economical and low-waste transformation of carboxylic acids. Together with our partners Kylie Vincent University of Oxford and the company HydRegen, we will explore possibilities for a biocatalytic H2-driven reduction process as a sustainable alternative for current chemocatalytic approaches. And with our partners in Sarel Fleishman’s lab at Weizmann Institute of Science and enzyme engineering expertise from the company EvoEnzyme, will optimize these enzymes’ activity and production yields to demonstrate preparative-scale production of valuable aldehydes and alcohols for the #cosmetics, #flavor, and #fragrance industries. The European companies ChainCraft, Axxence, and Evonik will advise the consortium on the path to the commercialization of our innovations. Stay tuned to hear more about how our consortium combines cutting-edge methods in #bioinformatics, #AI-assisted #proteinengineering, and #tungstenzymes to develop a new vision for #sustainable chemical production.

Ritesh Sharma, a FinnCERES funded PhD student at Aalto University , is exploring functionalized #cellulose fibers using #biobased substances. In the initial phase of his doctoral project, Ritesh is investigating the potential of bio-based substances, particularly natural dye extracts, to enhance the functionality of cellulosic fibers. He has studied Chokeberry (Aronia) for its potent, non-toxic dyeing properties. This research is vital as it addresses the fact that 99% of all dyes currently used are derived from petroleum. By pushing for the usage of natural alternatives, Ritesh hopes to provide not just long-term remedies but also additional benefits such as antimicrobial properties to the cellulosic fibers. Looking ahead to the second year of his research, Ritesh plans to investigate the hydrophobization of cellulosic fibers utilizing bio-based compounds, expanding the eco-friendly concept. Reflecting on his journey, Ritesh emphasizes, "Sustainability has remained a guiding principle throughout my academic pursuit." Aalto University has provided an excellent opportunity to pursue my passion for eco-friendly solutions.” #bioeconomy #Pulp&Paper #Materialsengineering #Innovation #Forestindustry

UD researchers (Cong Wang, Sagar Sourav, Kewei Yu, Yeonsu Kwak, Weiqing Zheng, and Dion Vlachos) provide new insights that may guide the design of catalysts and process intensification for carbon-free syngas production. Their work is featured on the latest cover of ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. Read the article ➡️https://lnkd.in/eFTcR_hG