For now, our industry is still based on oil. But prof. dr. Emiel Hensen of Eindhoven University of Technology expects biomass to become the feedstock for the next decades. Hensen specialises in inorganic materials chemistry and takes part in two research projects within CatchBio. “Breaking down biomass completely to create new products demands a lot of energy. That is why we look for smart ways to manipulate biomass selectively using catalysis. Therein lies a big challenge.”
The first CatchBio project Emiel Hensen takes part in, a three-year postdoctoral research project, focusses on the physical chemistry of catalytic sugar conversion. “Sugars can be derived from biomass”, he explains. “They can be converted into platform molecules to create new products, like fuels and monomers for plastics. Breaking down biomass completely to synthesis gas and then building up products takes a lot of energy. Another way is to manipulate sugars selectively to remove some oxygen in them – hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a good target platform.” This is a well researched approach, but how it works on a molecular level is still unknown. Or rather, it was, Hensen continues: “By using spectroscopy and computational modelling we unraveled the underlying molecular processes. With this knowledge we can create better catalysts. This brings the application of this route on an industrial level a step closer.”
Perfect synergy
The project started two years ago and already gives promising results. The second CatchBio project Hensen is involved in started only recently. It is called 'Depolymerisation of lignin: towards gasoline fuel components' and is a co-operation with the group of prof.dr. Heeres of University of Groningen. “Lignin is a recalcitrant polymeric material that is hard to cut up or 'depolymerise' into fragments”, Hensen says. “With the loose monomers you can do a lot of useful things. In this project we look for ways to create fuel from them."
"The main question we want to answer is: how can we use catalysis to depolymerise and upgrade lignin in such an efficient way it can be used in a biorefinery?” The easy answer is to use hydrogen, but that is hard to get. That is why the two universities are looking for new catalysts. “In Eindhoven we focus on lignin model compounds”, Hensen continues. “When we are done, our colleagues in Groningen will move the project to real lignin. A perfect synergy.”
The project started two years ago and already gives promising results. The second CatchBio project Hensen is involved in started only recently. It is called 'Depolymerisation of lignin: towards gasoline fuel components' and is a co-operation with the group of prof.dr. Heeres of University of Groningen. “Lignin is a recalcitrant polymeric material that is hard to cut up or 'depolymerise' into fragments”, Hensen says. “With the loose monomers you can do a lot of useful things. In this project we look for ways to create fuel from them."
"The main question we want to answer is: how can we use catalysis to depolymerise and upgrade lignin in such an efficient way it can be used in a biorefinery?” The easy answer is to use hydrogen, but that is hard to get. That is why the two universities are looking for new catalysts. “In Eindhoven we focus on lignin model compounds”, Hensen continues. “When we are done, our colleagues in Groningen will move the project to real lignin. A perfect synergy.”
CatchBio creates opportunities
With their expertise the two universities complement each other perfectly. Plus, in a small country like the Netherlands collaborations are easy to organise. “And we are used to it”, Hensen says. “Partly because of programmes like CatchBio. At user meetings and progress meetings you meet a lot of people, from knowledge institutes as well as the industry, who are working in the same field. CatchBio is a great network that stimulates knowledge exchange and synergy in biomass research.”
That is important because biomass and catalysis will play a huge role in the (near) industrial future, Hensen expects: “The catalysis of biomass provides a smart way to produce fuels and bulk chemicals, without using a lot of energy. I expect biomass to become a major feedstock for at least the next two or three decades. But there is still a lot to find out about these processes. CatchBio gives us the opportunity to do so.”
With their expertise the two universities complement each other perfectly. Plus, in a small country like the Netherlands collaborations are easy to organise. “And we are used to it”, Hensen says. “Partly because of programmes like CatchBio. At user meetings and progress meetings you meet a lot of people, from knowledge institutes as well as the industry, who are working in the same field. CatchBio is a great network that stimulates knowledge exchange and synergy in biomass research.”
That is important because biomass and catalysis will play a huge role in the (near) industrial future, Hensen expects: “The catalysis of biomass provides a smart way to produce fuels and bulk chemicals, without using a lot of energy. I expect biomass to become a major feedstock for at least the next two or three decades. But there is still a lot to find out about these processes. CatchBio gives us the opportunity to do so.”