PlasmaSol

Atmospheric Plasma as Green Solution for Enhanced Adhesion and Functionalization

Ambition
The PlasmaSol project will develop more innovative and sustainable adhesion and functionalization technologies for various materials through atmospheric plasma.

In the past, durable adhesion on a broad range of substrates has been achieved using conventional wet chemical surface treatments. These wet chemical surface treatments come with several ecological and health – related issues. It is well-known that solvent-based technologies are hazardous and highly flammable. However, also water-based processes, although being a safer alternative for solvent-based processes, come with ecological disadvantages. As such, a vast amount of waste water is generated, whereas the need for an additional drying step leads to a high energy consumption. Within the aim of reducing energy and (hazardous) chemical usage, atmospheric plasma technology is proposed as an eco-friendly alternative for surface activation and modification, while offering properties that are not always within the reach of conventional processes. Meanwhile, conventional process steps (i.e. cleaning steps, primer application) can be eliminated leading to reduced process time and energy- and chemical usage. This project focusses on plasma functionalization as a promising technology to improve adhesion, anti-bacterial and flame-retarding properties.

Action
This project focusses on retrieving fundamental physical and chemical insights in plasma polymerisation and modification mechanisms as well as modelling of the plasma process. Considering its applicability in industrially relevant environments, the plasma reactor design will be optimized to obtain homogeneously deposited functionalized coatings. Furthermore, efforts will be taken to automize this new technology to make it industrially viable for a broad range of applications.

From Innovation to Business
With a broad range of industrial partners working together throughout the value chain and new fundamental insights and innovations in atmospheric plasma from the knowledge institutions, the PlasmaSol partners will maximize the potential to discover new industrial applications. This project is expected to finish in 2022. Project results will be announced on this page shortly afterwards.

Project Details
Project type: ICON
Approved on: 24/10/2019
Duration: 01/11/2019 – 31/10/2022
Total budget: €3.371.978
Subsidy: €2.325.748
Project Partners

Encaps2Control

Controlled Release, Uptake and Enhanced (Bio-)Availability of Active Ingredients in Ruminant Feed and Fertilizers by Encapsulation

The Encaps2Control project sets out to develop a new and sustainable encapsulation technology for the controlled release of active ingredients in animal feed and organic fertilizers. This technology is based on biopolymers from renewable resources.

More information about this project will soon be provided on this page.

Project Details
Project type: ICON
Approved on: 12/12/2019
Duration: 31/12/2019 – 30/12/2022
Total budget: €3.698.711
Subsidy: €2.539.348
Project Partners

EnzymASE 2

Enzymes for Added Sustainability and Efficiency


Building on the previous Catalisti project EnzymASE, EnzymASE 2 seeks to create environmentally friendly processes to produce chemical products with the help of enzymes. This should lead to new and improved products, as well as reduced CO2 emissions.



Project Details
Project type: ICON
Approved on: 12/12/2019
Duration: 30/06/2019 – 29/06/2022
Total budget: €1.769.357
Subsidy: €1.285.041
Project Partners

Contact
Questions about this project? Please contact catalyst Luc Van Ginneken (lvanginneken@catalisti.be).

BIORESAL

Biobased resins from aldehydes and lignin

The current industrial production of a wide range of chemicals and synthetic polymers relies on fossil resources. Consumers and brand owners drive the search for biobased materials and products that are more sustainable. Companies search for performant materials containing biosourced carbon. Phenol, a fossil-derived chemical building block, is used downstream in various chemical formulations and applications, such as phenolic resins. Phenolic resins are successfully used in a variety of industrial applications, among others automotive, coating, varnish, adhesives, construction and insulation foams. For all these applications, there is a continued drive to find novel sustainable alternatives to these basic building blocks. In view of its chemical resemblance and availability, lignin and its derivatives could be a viable alternative to partially substitute phenol in phenol-formaldehyde resins.

Goal
The BIORESAL project aims to research to produce biobased LPF resins by replacing phenol with (modified) oligomeric lignin fractions, as potentially less hazardous and sustainable building blocks for their application in insulation materials and moulding compounds. Most importantly, this replacement is needed in a technologically proven and economically viable way. Additionally, BIORESAL will include the evaluation of a series of aldehydes as co-reactant in the synthesis of biobased LPF resins.

Project Details
Project type: ICON
Approved on: 13/12/2018
Duration: 01/05/2019 – 30/10/2022
Total budget: €2.596.723
Subsidy: €1.807.567
Project Partners

Publications
Biobased Resins Using Lignin and Glyoxal
I. Van Nieuwenhove, T. Renders, J. Lauwaert, T. De Roo, J. De Clercq, and A. Verberckmoes
ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2020, 8, 51, 18789–18809 – DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c07227

The utilization of lignin and glyoxal as potentially sustainable and less hazardous building blocks for phenolic resins is an emerging research field. Lignin thereby serves as a partial, macromolecular substitute for phenol, while glyoxal fulfills the role of an aldehyde cross-linker. In the first part of this perspective, the industrial context of lignin and glyoxal will be expounded with a focus on their origin and production processes. In the framework of phenolic resins, the use of lignin and glyoxal can be categorized into two research domains: (i) glyoxalation to improve the reactivity of lignin prior to resin synthesis and (ii) direct resin synthesis using lignin and glyoxal with glyoxal immediately serving as the cross-linker. This perspective provides a comprehensive overview of the progress made in both domains, pinpointing the opportunities, blind spots, and challenges that lay ahead.

The full publication can be accessed via:
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c07227.

Contact
Questions about this project? Please contact catalyst Bert Boekaerts (bboekaerts@catalisti.be).

Job opportunity @ DCM/Scientia Terrae – Expert Biobased Chemistry

Scientia Terrae is a not-for-profit-organization that functions as a research, service and education institute for the benefit of the horticulture industry and food sector. The company has positioned itself at the interface between the academic world and the agriculture industry to translate fundamental science into practical solutions and real-world applications.

Because of continuous growth, Scientia Terrae is looking for an Expert Biobased Chemistry to expand their team.


Your responsabilities

 

In this position at Scientia Terrae, you will be responsible for experimental work and support concerning diverse chemical challenges within simultaneous research projects regarding product- and process optimization, as well as product development. You will have a strong collaboration and interaction with the various research teams at Scientia Terrae, as well as with the teams of R&D, Product Management and Production at DCM (De Ceuster Meststoffen in Grobbendonk). In general, your role will strongly focus on your expertise in biobased chemistry, where your main goals will be:

  • Developing biobased chemical formulations (primarily liquids) in the field of organic fertilizers, biocontrol products and biostimulants
  • Searching and using raw materials and additives that can be used in biological farming, to obtain chemically and biologically stable products that retain their quality parameters during storage
  • Sourcing, developing and applying extraction methods that are allowed to be used in biological farming
  • Translating formulations from lab scale to production scale
  • Initiating innovative biochemical techniques and ensuring a thorough follow up after implementation
  • Following up plant trials to better understand the effects of different formulations regarding plant growth
  • Writing protocols and maintaining accurate and extensive documentation in accordance with internal procedures
  • Developing a network of interesting external stakeholders that can provide extra support/knowledge regarding new methods and techniques

Your profile

 

You have a Master degree in Bio-engineering: Chemistry & Bioprocess technology, Master in Chemistry, Master in Catalytic Technology or a Master in Industrial Sciences: Chemistry and you have a least five years of experience within a similar of related position. Furthermore, you have an outspoken interest for the horticultural and agricultural sector.

You are passionate about working in the lab and you consider yourself to be a real specialist in formulation technology. However, within every project, you stay absolutely solution focused in your approach.

You have strong communication skills and you have a good pragmatic attitude. You are action and goal oriented and you show a high analytical capacity with strong creative problem solving qualities.

You are a true team player with excellent interpersonal skills that make it possible to work efficiently with people of all backgrounds. On the other hand, you are able to work very independently and you show strong eager to take initiative. You fit perfectly within a matrix structure. When required, you are willing to work flexibly to achieve deadlines and you are willing to travel to Grobbendonk occasionally.

You are fluent in English (speaking and writing) and you can work with an international and diverse team. Knowledge of Dutch is seen as an asset.


Scientia Terrae’s offer

 

Scientia Terrae offers a challenging and innovative environment where you can play an important role in a dynamic research center that works in close collaboration with the family holding Group De Ceuster. Initiative and professionalism are greatly appreciated within a company that’s represented by an open culture and a high involvement of its employees. Your remuneration will be in accordance with your experience and responsibilities.

Find out more about this job offer and the application process at:
https://groupdc.talentfinder.be/nl/vacature/40244/expert-biobased-chemistry/

Job opportunity @ Puratos – Research Manager New Processing Technologies

As member of the Upstream Research Department team, leading the introduction and development of innovative technologies in Puratos, this role is focusing on identifying, developing and validating emerging and disruptive processing technologies in the field of bakery, patisserie and chocolate processing.The function requires strong creative, hands-on and collaborative skills, as well an extensive external and internal network.

 Key Accountabilities

·        To take the lead in proactively and creatively sourcing, building and developing breakthrough processing technologies to leverage and support product and process innovations throughout Puratos.

·        To make interdependently connections between new processing technologies (even outside food business) and product opportunities across the Puratos portfolio, and to convince the business of these opportunities.

·        To extend and build an external network, mainly throughout Europe, of companies, start-ups, Universities and Expertise Centers having a link to development and validation of existing and new processing technologies. To source actively for highly valuable collaborations with these partners and start-up new structural collaborations.

·        To set-up, lead and support cross-departmental teams to leverage implementation of new processing technologies supporting NPD.

·        To focus on sustainability impact of existing and new processing, having a holistic view to reduce CO2 footprint / waste in the broadest possible approach (drying technologies, processing water, raw material and processing waste streams, …).

·        To consult and/or advise Group Engineering teams & Local Engineering teams on potential processing technologies, identified through the different open innovation platforms.

·        To communicate actively own expertise, projects, future developments etc. throughout Puratos Group by different media (e.g. community presentations, social media, practical sessions, trainings, regional seminars).      

·        To (pro-)actively collaborate and communicate in professional organizations and networks (e.g. conferences, social media platforms) to leverage own expertise and use it in (potential) Puratos projects.

·        To have keen interest in emerging & disruptive technologies and take part of different platforms / work groups dealing with these subjects.

Who are we looking for?

·        You have 2 – 5 years of experience, ideally engaged within an innovative & entrepreneurial setting, preferably business environment (food or non-food).

·        You have a master degree in Civil, Industrial or Bio-Engineering (Mechanical, (Bio-)Chemical, Process Engineering).

·        A technically skilled and oriented person, having a creative and hands-on mindset with an open view on opportunities between different businesses.

·        An established insight in properties & structures of food-ingredients and –matrices is a strong asset (knowledge of food fermentation is a plus) to be able to match new technologies to food processing.

·        Possessing an entrepreneurial mindset, strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills. Stakeholder and project management (incl. understanding of cost drivers) skills are a strong asset. Having the ability to guide, lead and take part of multiple projects in parallel.

·        The ability  to work across a matrix organization.

·        The ability to influence people and decisions in a positive, non-hierarchical and effective way is essential.

Why would you join Puratos?

You will join a stable family business that has become an international market leader with a strong corporate culture and a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. You will receive plenty of room to take initiative. In that way, you will contribute to the company’s success. A challenging work environment with varied tasks is what you can expect:

·        many responsibilities and the possibility to take ownership of your work

·        training and career opportunities to evolve within the company

You can count on a competitive salary package with benefits such as

·        meal vouchers (8€/day)

·        free group and hospitalization insurance

·        company car and fuel card

·        bonus plan

Watch our corporate movie and feel the Puratos Magic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oWeohwqgW4&t=69s

Who are we?

The secrets behind Puratos’ global success and consistent growth are taste and quality. We would like to welcome you within our enthusiastic, committed and passionate team of more than 8800 employees. We are an international player and, what is more, a Belgian family business. Our people make the difference every single day. How? By developing, producing and distributing a unique and high-quality range of ingredients for bakers, pastry-chefs and chocolatiers, since 1919.

A century later, our products and services are available in more than 100 countries around the world. Our passion for innovation, closeness to our customers, and their customers, as well as our core values form the basis of our passion to improve.

Working at Puratos is choosing a Top Employer in Belgium.

Shall we meet soon?

Puratos LinkedIn platform: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/1383100855

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Opleiden 4.0



Living Lab Industry 4.0: Opleiden 4.0

Background
Industry 4.0 technologies and digitalisation provide interesting opportunities for educating and training individual employees. Despite such technological developments being rapid and numerous, companies in the chemical, plastics and process industries rarely implement them in new learning and training methods.

Goal
In the Opleiden 4.0 project, Catalisti – together with imec, Karel de Grote Hogeschool and ACTA – seeks to develop, test and validate innovative learning and training methods based on industry 4.0 technology. In the living lab, collective sessions and workshops will demonstrate a number of promising technique. In addition, the living lab seeks to support companies in working out concrete cases. Finally, the project aims to stimulate the transition of chemical companies towards industry 4.0 by creating success stories and best practices that can be shared with other companies.

Innovation
Recently, Catalisti and its project partners presented its first research results and conceptual developments. Through in-depth interviews with VDAB and 16 employees from six different companies in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector, the project mapped the training needs of the sector. Following exhaustive research into modern learning and training methods, technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) proved to be most promising.

Business
A high-quality workforce is crucial to the Flemish chemical and plastics industry. This project seeks to ensure that employers have the right learning and training methods at their disposal to strengthen the competences and skills of their employees.

Contact
If your company is interested in this living lab, please visit the relevant VLAIO webpage or contact catalyst Laura-Lynn Fockaert for more information.

Project Details
Project type: Living lab Industry 4.0
Approved on: 03/12/2018
Duration: 01/04/2019 – 31/03/2022
Total budget: €429.960
Subsidy: €343.968
Project Partners

P2PC

Plastics to Precious Chemicals

The P2PC project aspires to cope with the urgent issue of plastics waste management. The project targets the challenge of increasing plastic waste volumes and diversity on the one hand, as well as the establishment of circular material schemes instead of value destruction. The most important premise of P2PC is that by pyrolysis, plastic waste that is currently being burned or landfilled can be a source of diverse chemical building blocks, the so-called “precious chemicals”. Its target, in other words, is to turn plastic waste into value. This way, P2PC can be considered as the next step in Flanders’ efforts to lead the global effort in tackling the challenge of waste plastics.

More information about this project will soon be provided on this page.

Project Details
Project type: ICON
Approved on: 04/04/2019
Duration: 1/05/2019 – 30/04/2022
Total budget: €3.092.101
Subsidy: €2.182.652
Project Partners

WATCH

Plastic Waste To Chemicals

The WATCH project seeks to improve chemical understanding of plastic waste conversion for the production of key chemicals such as short olefins, waxes, aromatics, styrene and diols. In this project, the aim is to develop, demonstrate and compare three technologies for the conversion of plastic waste to liquid energy carriers and chemicals via (catalytic) pyrolysis.

Project Details
Project type: SBO
Approved on: 04/04/2019
Duration: 31/08/2019 – 30/08/2023
Total project budget: €2.636.440
Subsidy: €2.636.440
Publications
Naar een doorgedreven chemische recyclage van plastic – VITO Vision – January 2021

Project Partners

PolyFlam

Polyol-Based Flame Retardants and Lubricants

Flame retardants are a diverse group of chemicals which are added to a number of different materials (e.g. plastics, textiles, building materials) to enhance the materials’ resistance to fire. Within this diverse group, halogenated flame retardants are often regarded as being the most effective flame retardant, as only relatively small amounts are needed to obtain high flame protection. Nevertheless, this class of flame retardants can have detrimental effects on the aquatic environment if they leach out of different (plastic) materials, as they are very persistent, and they tend to bioaccumulate. A second possible negative effect could be their toxicity for humans. For these reasons, a number of them have been put on the candidate list (SVHC), like for instance hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) and decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE). There clearly is a need for more sustainable and environmentally friendly flame retardants.

Goal
The PolyFlam project aims to develop and produce branched polyols derived from a bio-based alcohol. These polyols can then be further transformed into (reactive) flame retardants via phosphorylation chemistry. The obtained flame retardants can subsequently be used in different applications, such as textile, polymers and fire-resistant industrial fluids. The bio-based polyols can also be converted into (fully) bio-based lubricants. The project will result in a new value chain starting from a common bio-based alcohol and ending up in high-end applications that can be embedded in the chemical industry in Flanders.

Project Details
Project type: ICON
Approved on: 13/12/2018
Duration: 01/04/2019 – 29/09/2022
Total budget: €2.274.737
Subsidy: €1.633.696
Project Partners

Contact
Questions about this project? Please contact catalyst Luc Van Ginneken (lvanginneken@catalisti.be).