Category: Renewable Chemicals

The overall goal of MAIA is to fully utilize the natural functionality of biomolecules by catalytically converting preferably waste wood and flax shives into solubilized proto-lignin fractions and a solid (hemi-)cellulose pulp with a main focus on the production of aromatic molecules with a maximized amount of (hydroxyl) functionalities and a (hemi-)cellulose fraction suitable for further processing into paper or functional sugars. This altered scheme for the biorefinery of wood, compared to existing paper mills, intends to maintain the reactivity of the derived molecules by producing a limited variety of bio-aromatic compounds. In this project the waste wood and flax shive refinery will be fine-tuned in function of several selected applications represented by 5 industrial partners, such as dispersion agents and emulsifiers, resins for ink, foundry, refractory and wood modification, wood adhesives, UV-stabilizers and flavours.

Project Details

Project type:	ICON
Approved on:	18/06/2015
Duration:	01/09/2015 – 31/08/2017
Total budget:	€937.901
Subsidy:	€765.006

Project Partners

Goal
The BIOCAPPS project aims to develop diatom microalgae for customized silica based catalysts applied in air purification and sustainablematerialsby means of a sustainable bottom-up self-assembly process. The project includes the cultivation of diatoms and their separationinto biomass and silica frustule towards applications in air purification and biobased material development.

Background
Diatoms are an extremely diverse group of unicellular algae that self-assemble soluble silicon (Si(OH)4) into a porous, intricate siliceous cell wall, called frustule. Diatom frustules possess a unique combination of physical and chemical properties (chemical inertness, high mechanical strength, large surface area, low density, good porosity and highly ordered features from nano to micro scale) making diatom frustules highly promising for use in applications such as light harvesting, chromatography, (photo)catalysis, drug delivery, photonics, biosensors and adsorption. The diatom frustules are formed under ambient conditions and consist of hydrated silica with specific 3D morphologies and micro-, meso or macroporosity. A remarkable characteristic of diatoms is their ability to bioaccumulate soluble titanium out of cell culture medium and incorporates this into the 3D-nano-architecture of the frustule. These natural biosilica-titania materials have excellent properties for catalytic purposes like air purification. Additionally, bioaccumulation of other elements in the frustule as well as the use of pure frustules has great potential as sustainable materials. This project focuses on the valorisation of both the biomass and the frustule portion aiming at a full cradle-to-cradle approach.

Impact
This project will result in two valorisation pathways of diatom frustules. On the one hand an optimized bio-template production process for mesoporous silica-titania catalysts at TomAlgae will lead to an efficient, sustainable, economically and ecologically viable air purification process tested by Genano Benelux/Gevoc. On the other hand Fibreuze can use the optimized silica production process at TomAlgae for the development of biobased materials.

This project aligns with our Renewable Chemicals program . It proposes studying, developing and optimizing a sustainable, biogenic production route for the synthesis of catalysts for air purification that is scalable from lab level to industrial level. This project also proposes to exploit microalgae, a new biomass source.

Project Details

Project type:	ICON
Approved on:	19/11/2015
Duration:	01/01/2016 – 31/12/2017
Total budget:	€597.554
Subsidy:	€488.456

Project Partners

Algae have a number of properties that allow to produce a wide range of products in a more sustainable manner than via the existing value chains. The main goal of the iAlgaePro project is to develop innovative processes for algae processing based on algae production with “Mesh Ultra Thin Layer” technology, harvest based on submerged membranes and “Spiral plate” technology, treatment with “Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF)” and mild separation and extraction technologies.

This will i) provide solutions to the industry for the exploitation of algae as an alternative source for high quality functional proteins for food and animal feed, and ii) bring an innovative technological breakthrough in terms of more efficient cultivation and drainage principles, as well as mild pretreatment and separation processes.

The iAlgaePro project offers a strong added value for Flanders on several areas. It allows us to further stimulate the economy algae in Flemish companies. The usergroup of this project consists of actors/companies in the entire value chain, from primary production to valorization, which emphasizes the broad support. Also, the creation of a an algae economy is a European story. The involvement of German companies and research institutes will allow the companies to expand their network and enhance their knowledge in an international network. The project is also highly relevant to the industrial economy in Flanders and in particular to SMEs.

Project Details

Project type:	CORNET
Approved on:	18/09/2014
Duration:	30/11/2014 – 29/11/2016
Total budget:	€366.772
Subsidy:	€293.418

Project Partners

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

Project Details

Project type:	ICON
Approved on:	20/11/2014
Duration:	01/01/2015 – 31/12/2016
Totaal budget:	€570.947
Subsidy:	€467.052

Project Partners

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