Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB
Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB

Bioinspired chemistry

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Sustainable syntheses and materials

In our modern society, products of the chemical industry are a part of almost all areas of daily life and our life quality greatly depends on the sustainable availability of functional chemical synthesis products.

In line with the raw materials change, the central subject of the innovation field Bioinspired Chemistry is to enable the controlled utilization of biomolecular functionalities for the development of innovative and green fine- and specialty chemicals, biobased polymers, and functional materials, applying new synthetic pathways.

We understand bioinspiration as the application of exclusive molecular structures derived from renewable resources and their maximal functional integration in chemical products. In this way, innovations in novel synthesis spaces emerge, allowing for advantageous properties particularly due to their biogenic origin.

For this we connect and combine biobased chemistry with already established technologies for future markets, driving forward demand-meeting developments in a way that is inspired by resources, function, and the chemistry of nature. We consider bioinspired chemistry as a valuable, complementary, enhancing, and viable alternative to the established, mostly fossil based chemistry.

Our concept involves focused interdisciplinary approaches of synthetic and retrosynthetic strategies combining chemical and biological aspects und therefore give way to innovative production processes. We develop holistic solutions for diverse and complex problems. We use knowledge of areas of organic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, biotechnology, polymer chemistry and material processing. Therefore, we can give specific and agile answers to the current challenges due to our interlocking research topics, including techno-economical requirements and practical implementation.

The aim is to expand the toolbox for sustainable synthesis by an overall view on resources, conversion methods, desired product properties, processing technology, and end-of-life scenarios of the products. The performance of the products is evaluated regarding application demands and optimized for industrial usage to achieve technology leaps towards new “green” chemicals and materials comprising new functionality. For this, our leitmotif is “easy access, technologically feasible, and highly functional due to the biobased components”.

Fields of activity and technologies

Bioinspired synthesis routes

 

© Fraunhofer IGB

Organic chemistry

  • Synthesis Development
  • Organic synthesis of small molecules
  • Building blocks for new bio-based thermoplastics and epoxy resins
  • Modified biopolymers
    • Development of purification methods
    • Optimization by means of statistical experimental design
    • Scale-up of syntheses
more info
 

© Fraunhofer IGB

Bioorganic chemistry

  • Chemo-enzymatic synthesis routes
  • Functional proteins: proteins in material and application development
more info

Biobased polymers and materials

 

Biobased polymers and additives

  • Chemical modification of polysaccharides
  • Controlled degradation of lignin
  • Conversion of biomolecules to specialty polymers
    • Polyamides from monoterpenes
  • Development of biobased plasticizers and nucleating agents
  • Additivation of polymersobased materials
more info
 

Plastics technology

  • Extrusion
    • Injection molding
    • Thermal forming processes
    • Production and material processability
  • Chemical analysis
    • Material characterization
    • Material testing
    • Testing of new developed materials
more info
 

© Fraunhofer IGB

Biohybrid materials

  • Catalytically active materials
  • Intelligent or switchable materials
  • Tailor-made solutions for the agricultural industry based on residual materials
more info

Laboratory for technical biopolymers ‒ LTBP

In this project, which is funded by the Bavarian Ministry of State, we cover the entire value chain of biobased materials: from the identification of suitable starting materials, through functionalization, polymerization and additivation, to recyclability and biodegradability.

 

This makes us a competent contact for regional and national industry and research on the subject of biogenic plastics.

 

Dr. Robert Scherf

Dr. Harald Strittmatter

more info

Terpene-based polyamides: Caramid-R® and Caramid-S®

Caramid-R® and Caramid-S® are examples of a new class of polyamides that are produced from monoterpenes which are a side product of the pulp and paper industry. Starting from 3-carene, new lactams are synthesized by a patented process and subsequently polymerized to Caramid-R® and Caramid-S®.

 

© Fraunhofer IGB

 

… for further information refer to our press release:

go to press release

We would like to be your partner for the development of sustainable synthetic procedures for innovative chemical products. We would be happy to support you concerning the choice of suitable funding possibilities.

In detail we support you for:

Research and Development

  • Identification of suitable raw material for the development of new products and new materials
  • Identification of new applications for new biobased products
  • Literature and patent studies
  • Molecular biological and technical optimization of enzymes and enzyme reactions
  • Custom synthesis and contract screening
  • Development of procedures for the utilization of residues
  • Development of procedures for the integration of renewable resources and their chemical structures in industrially established processes --> synthesis of biobased alternatives for fossil based compounds
  • Evaluation of optimized synthetic procedures for the production of target products
  • Optimization of reactions by design of experiment
  • Scale-up of reactions (up to 4 liter reaction volume; further scale-up at Fraunhofer CBP)

Cooperation for research projects

  • Identification of suitable funding possibilities (national, European)
  • Support by the formation of a project consortium and by communication with possible partners
  • Support by project applications
  • Communications with funding authorities

Characterization

  • Chemical analysis and structure identification
  • Contract analysis

We also offer services concerning materials and (biobased) polymers as part of the Laboratory for Technical Biopolymers (LTBP):

  • Selection of suitable biogenic raw- and waste products
  • Screening of polymerization methods
  • Polymerization at lab scale
  • Functionalization of natural biopolymers
  • Selection and development of biobased polymer additives
  • Development of composite materials with natural materials
  • Polymer analytics
  • Material characterization
  • Material testing
  • Analysis of product failures and assessment
  • Biocompatibility
  • End-of-life scenarios (in planning)
    • Material cycles
    • Biodegradability

We are your partner for the development of the sustainable synthesis processes and the innovative chemical products of the future. We focus on the selection of biobased resources, the development of modern conversion and production processes and particularly on the application of catalytic processes (chemo-, bio- and electro-catalysis). This includes the analytical and functional evaluation of these processes and products. Following that idea, our goal is the production of new products and materials derived from renewables, residual streams, and carbon dioxide (CO2) in an environmentally benign manner – together with our partners. For this, we rely on our modern laboratories for biotechnology, chemistry, polymer chemistry, and our technicum for material processing including the following equipment:

Synthesis/processing

  • Automatized laboratory reactors
  • High pressure reactors
  • Catalyst screening station
  • 10 L fermenter
  • Polymerization reactor/Hydrogenation reactor
  • Glovebox
  • Ovens
  • Vacuum drying oven
  • Press
  • Cutting mill
  • Mini-Compounder
  • Injection moulding
  • Extrusion
more info

Analytics

Chemical structure determination

  • 400 MHz-Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
  • FTIR-spectroscopy (transmission and ATR)

Chromatographic methods

  • Gas chromatography (GC)
  • High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
  • Size exclusion chromatography / Gel permeation chromatography (SEC/GPC)
  • Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC)

Other methods

  • Autotitrator
  • TOC Analyzer
more info

Material characterization

Thermal analysis

  • Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
  • Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
  • Determination of the heat deflection temperature (HDT)

Mechanical properties

  • Pendulum impact tester
  • Universal testing machine
  • Shore hardness (DIN ISO 7619-1)
  • Rheology/DMA (coming 2025)
  • Capillary viscometry by Ubbelohde-viscosimeter

Other methods

  • Microscopy
  • Density measurement of solids and fluids
  • Conditioning of specimen
more info

1. Synthesis/processing

 

Automatized laboratory reactors

Data collection for the development of novel synthesis, optimization of reaction protocols, establishment of robust and secure processes.

 

SYSTEM SHORT DESCRIPTION
Double jacket glass reactors 0,5 L – 4 L installed
Upgradable to 50 L
Temperature -10 °C – 200 °C
Parameter control Temperature, pH-value, stirring speed, dosing of fluids

High pressure reactors

Chemical synthesis with gas reactants and high pressure.

 

High pressure reactors Short description
Parallel autoclave station Four parallel reactors in lab scale
Volume: 100 mL/reactor
Pressure: up to 300 bar
Temperature: up to 400 °C
Material: Hastelloy C22
Stirrer: gassing
Computer control and exact documentation of reaction data
Small scale autoclave Volume: 50 mL + 100 mL,
Pressure: up to 150 bar
Temperature: up to 250 °C
Material: stainless steel
Acidulation autoclaves Volume: 45 mL + 125 mL
Pressure: up to 120 bar
Temperature: up to 250 °C
Material: PTFE-inlay and stainless steel shell
Parr batch reactor Volume: 2 L
Pressure: up to 100 bar
Temperature: up to 350 °C
Material: stainless steel
Stirrer: gassing and paddle stirring

Catalyst screening station

Parallel catalyst screening under defined conditions.

 

Screening-System Short description
Heterogeneous catalyst screening station Four parallel reactors
Temperature: up to 500 °C
Pressure: up to 80 bar
Material: Steel
Gases: CO, CO2, H2, N2, Ar, synthetic air, hydrocarbons
Gas flow: 10 – 100 mL min-1
Fluids: H2O (0-2.5 g h-1)
Three-phase reactor (fixed-bed) Volume: D = 6 mm; H = 200 mm
Pressure: up to 10 bar
Temperature: up to 450 °C
Material: Steel or glass
Gases: NH3, N2, synthetic air
Volume flows: liquid up to 2 mL/min ; Gases up to 100 mL/min

10 L fermenter

 

system
 short description
BBI BIOSTAT® C C10-3
15 L vessel (hight:diameter - 3:1)
 Working volume 3 – 10 L
Pressure resistance -1 – 3 bar  
Gassing control 0,6 – 30 L min-1 (0,04 – 2 vvm), air, N2
Stirring 2x6 paddle Rushton-Turbine
900 W brushless Motor
Pump control 4x peristaltic pumps (max. 300 mL min-1)
Sensors pH, pO2, antifoam, temperature
Monitoring and (feedback) control Control pH (1 – 13) und pO2 (0 – 100 %)
Antifoam agent dosing
Media- / substrate dosing
Temperature (8 – 150°C)
Stirring (10 – 1.500 rpm)

Polymerization reactor/Hydrogenation reactor

2-step mini-plant for demonstration of polycondensation under application-oriented conditions and for hydrogenation of organic compounds.

 

system short description
Working volume Two 1,5 L autoclaves with distillation uni
Monitoring and (feedback) control Fully (feedback) controlled mini-plant with gas dosing
Temperature Up to 350 °C
Pressure Up to 200 bar

Glovebox

 

system short description
Inert atmosphere (N2, Ar) Allows very air- or moisture-sensitive reactions
(< 1 ppm O2 or moisture)
Pressure -15 – 15 mbar
(negative or positive pressure)

Oven

Muffle furnace and calciners with optional inert atmosphere and control unit.

 

system short description
Gases N2, air
Temperature Up to 1200 °C

Vacuum drying oven

 

system
 short description
Filling capacity 115 L
Vacuum Up to 15 mbar
Temperature Up to 110 °C

Press

Thermal forming under pressure by pressing.

 

system short description
Surface temperature Up to 300 °C
Pressing force Up to 200 kN

Cutting mill

The cutting mill is used for crushing of soft to medium-hard, brittle or fibrous sample material.

 

SYSTEM short description
Cutting insert 3 rotor knives with 4 steel counter knives
Sieve inserts

0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm trapezoid wholes
Speed range 6000 – 22000 U/min, adjustable in steps of 1000
Time function Timer/ stopwatch
Embrittlement of the samples Processing of brittle sample material, for example with liquid nitrogen, is possible.
Feeding material Size max. 15 mm
Throughput quantity

Up to 15 L/h -> Sample dependent

Mini-Compounder

Twin-screw extruder for processing very small quantities. Used to determine initial material-specific characteristics.

 

SYSTEM short description
Cyclinder capacity 15 mL
Temperature Up to 400 °C
Rotation speed Up to 250 rpm
Torque value Up to 40 Nm
Material properties Cylinder (64 HRC, 2000 Vickers) and screws (56 HRC, 1000 Vickers) are wear-resistant, abrasion-resistant and chemical-resistant.
Bypass valve Possibility of material return or continuous extrusion
Data recording via software

Graphical presentation and recording of extrusion parameters (temperature, melt viscosity, shear forces, torque). Can be saved as an Excel file.

Injection moulding

 

System short description
MiniJet Plunger plastification
Injection moulding Screw plastification

Extrusion

  • Planetary roller extruder

2. Analytics

 

2.1. Chemical structure determination

 

400 MHz-Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)

NMR spectroscopy

Structure determination of organic molecules, end-group determination of polymers, and reaction monitoring (qualitatively and quantitatively).

 

system short description
9,4 Tesla Magnet

Frequenz 400 MHz
5 mm probe head

Automatically tunable in the range from 1H to 19F and 31P to 109Ag, field gradient up to 140 G/cm
2 channel spectrometer 1D and 2D measurements:
COSY, HMQC, HMBC, NOESY, ROESY, TOCSY, and DOSY
Variable temperature control -100 °C – 150 °C 

FTIR-spectroscopy (transmission and ATR)

Structure determination and reaction control.

 

system
 short description
ATR unit

Non-destructive substance analysis of solids and fluids
Transmittance measurements (KBr pellets)

Quantitative analysis

 

2.2. Chromatographic methods

 

Gas chromatography (GC)

Gas chromatography is used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic substances and mixtures. This requires vaporization without decomposition of each component.

 

GC-system short description
Single-Quad-MS-Detector (mass spectrometry)

Identification and determination of components of mixtures such as coatings, natural substances, flavors and odorants
FID (flame ionization detector)

Robust detector for oranic compounds with high sensitivity (detection limit 1 ng)
TCS (thermal conductivity scanner) Universal detector
Headspace Analysis of highly volatile substances
SPME (solid phase micro extraction)

Analysis of samples with low compound concentration by adsorptio

Sample introduction options On-column, SSL (split/splitless), PTV (programmed temperature vaporizer)

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

High performance liquid chromatography is used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic mixtures.

 

HPLC-system short description
DAD (Dioden-Array-Detector)

UV/Vis absorbance (full spectrum)
ELSD (Evaporative Light Scattering Detector)

Compound analysis by structure-specific light scattering
RID (Refractive Index Detector) Detection by refractive index changes
MS-Detector (mass spectrometry)  Identification and quantification of compounds, MSn-spectra

Size exclusion chromatography / Gel permeation chromatography (SEC/GPC)

Determination of molecular weight distribution from 102 – 107 g/mol.

 

system short description
GPC

Isocratic Pump, HFIP-compatible devices

Pressure: 200 bar
Differential-refractometer RI-detector

Concentration detector for regular GPC by standard calibration
Multiwavelength UV-Vis detector Determination of structural geometry variation in co-polymers
Multiangle light scattering detector (MALLS) SLD7100 Determination of absolute molecular weight, applicable starting at 10.000 g/mol, used for peptides, natural polymers, etc.
Viscometer detector DVD 1260

Determination of molecular weight by viscosity, applicable starting at 5.000 g/mol

Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC)

Purification of (recombinant) proteins from cell lysates.

 

system short description
Column

Various column materials for protein purification
UV-Detector (UV-900)

Detection of proteins
Conductivity detector and pH-detector (P/C-900) Monitoring of conductivity and pH value

 

2.3. Other methods

 

Autotitrator

 

system short description
Applications Saponification value (DIN 53401)Saponification value lignin Modification
Acid value (DIN 53402)
OH-value (DIN 53240)
End group determination of Polymers
Acid-base titration
Karl-Fischer-titration

TOC Analyzer

The TOC analyzer is used to determine the environmental parameters of TOC, NPOC, TC, TIC and POC in aqueous samples. The TN add-on module can also be used to determine TNb.

 

system short description
Digestion method

High-temperature combustion up to 950 °C
TN Detector

Electrochemical „solid-state“ detector
Measurable parameters TC, TIC, TOC, NPOC, NPOCplus, POC, TN
Measurement range (detection limit)

0 – 30.000 mg/L C (4 µg/L C)

0 – 100 mg/L TNb (0,05 mg/L TNb)
Sample supply Automatic flow injection with automatic acidification/blowing out of the samples, rinsing technology and dilution option

3. Material characterization


3.1. Thermal analysis

 

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

Measurement of heat flow variations occurring due to temperature- or time-dependent changes of the physical or chemical sample properties (phase transitions).

 

system short description
Temperature

-80 °C – 500 °C
Gases

N2, air
Heating rate 0,02 – 300 K/min
Cooling rate
 0,02 – 50 K/min

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)

Measurement of mass changes of a sample depending on heat and time.

 

system short description
Temperature

Up to 1100 °C
Heating rate

0,02 – 150 K/min
Sample volume Up to 900 µL
Sorption unit  
Temperature

Up to 95 °C
Rel. humidity 100 %

Determination of the heat deflection temperature (HDT) (not yet in use)

The HDT/Vicat is used to determine the heat deflection temperature, the softening temperature and the creep behavior of various polymers.

 

system short description
Temperature

Up to 300 °C
Testing according to

DIN EN ISO 75 1-3, DIN EN ISO 306
Monitoring stations 4
Evaluation of results Statistical evaluation and presentation as a results table, figure and test report.

3.2. Mechanical properties

 

Pendulum impact tester

The pendulum impact tester is used to determine the impact strength of various polymers.

 

SYSTEM SHORT DESCRIPTION
Working capacity Up to 50 J
Testing according to

DIN EN ISO 179 (Charpy), DIN EN ISO 180 (Izod)

3 pendumlums each 0.5 J, 2 J und 5 J (Charpy); 1 J, 2.75 J and 5.5 J (Izod)
Evaluation of results

Statistical evaluation and presentation as a results table, figure and test report.

Universal testing machine

For determining the mechanical properties of various polymers.

 

SYSTEM SHORT DESCRIPTION
Testing options Tensile test according to DIN EN ISO 527 1-3, 3-point flexure tests according to DIN EN ISO 178
Test force range

Up to 20 kN
Force transducer 2,5 kN
Strain transducer Video extensometer (optical)
Sample holder Pneumatic with adjustable closing pressure, test force 2.5 kN
Evaluation of results

Statistical evaluation and presentation as a results table, figure and test report.

Shore hardness (DIN ISO 7619-1)

Digital shore hardness type A and type D with test bench.

 

system short description
Typ A

For soft materials
Typ D

For medium to hard materials
Resolution 0,1
Accuracy ≤ 1 %

Rheology/DMA (coming 2025)

Establishment of a high-performing combination device for shear-reological investigations under rotation and oszillation and dynamic-mechanical analysis of solids under bending, tension and compression.

Capillary viscometry by Ubbelohde-viscosimeter

Determination of the reduced intrinsic viscosity of diluted solutions of soluble polymers.

 

system
 short description
Testing according to

DIN EN ISO 307, DIN EN ISO 1628 etc.
Solvents

m-cresol

Sulfuric acid

Formic acid
Viscosimeter Ubbelohde and micro-Ubbelohde (DIN 51562)

3.3. Other methods

 

Microscopy

For reflected- and transmitted light applications.

 

system
 short description
Lenses
 Fiber analysis: 5x, 10x, 20x, 50x
Microbiology: 40x, 100x (Ölimmersion)
5 Mp camera

High-resolution camera for optimal imaging
Test bench with 3-axes motorization Software-automatized imaging with high depth of field

Brightfield / darkfield polarization

Phase contrast Ph1/Ph2/Ph3 Transmitted light

Polarization with additional Lambda-plate

 Multitude of contrast-/polarization options for reflected- and transmitted light applications for optimal structure imaging

Density measurement of solids and fluids

Solids: Density balance DIN EN ISO 1183.

Fluids: Density meter (flexural resonator) for measurements of viscous samples according to DIN EN ISO 5725 with adapter heating.

 

system short description
Density range

0 g/cm³ – 3 g/cm³
Temperature range

0 °C – 100 °C
Sample volume Ca. 1 mL
Accuracy 0,0001 g/cm³

Conditioning of specimen

Climatic chamber for constant conditions for the storage of specimen under standard atmosphere at 23 °C and 50 % relative humidity.

Download brochures and product sheets

 

Brochure “Laboratory for technical biopolymers”

Download
 

Product sheet “The miniplant of the laboratory for technical biopolymers”

Download
 

Brochure “BioCat – Combination of biotechnological and chemical processes”

Download

Scientific publications

Related Links:

AquaCat

Dr. Pranee Inprakhon, lecturer of Mahidol University, Bangkok Thailand, has been awarded a Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship (IIF) from the European Union.

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Bi-Amin

The aim of the project team is to develop such enzymatic reaction routes for the biosynthesis of amines and to scale up this process to the pilot scale.

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BioAcrylate

The aim of the part of the project worked on at Fraunhofer was the optimization of the synthesis of bio-based acrylic acid from activated lactic acid derivatives.

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BioDiMet

The aim of the BioDiMet project is the development of a robust and straightforward biocatalytic methyltransferase toolbox that can be applied for the selective synthesis of novel bioactives or precursors in an industrial setting.

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BioFraMe II

BioFraMe is an innovative, broadly applicable supporting material for the preparation of bio‑based heterogeneous metal catalysts.

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BioSurf

We aim at an increased replacement of petro-based surfactants by biosurfactants generated form renewable resources.

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ChiBio

ChiBio is adopting the approach of a biorefinery in order to use the biogenic waste material in a holistic way, in other words materially and energetically and as efficiently and completely as possible.

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ChitoLogEn

ChitoLogEn is an innovative chitosan-based redox-active polymer. It works as a biobased matrix for the immobilization of redox enzymes on electrodes with applications in bioelectrocatalytic processes including bioelectrosynthesis and energy conversion.

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ChitoMat

Holistic Chitin conversion to materials for 3D printing application and performance animal feed additives.

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eBioCO2n

The project pursues an ambitious approach to converting CO2 into chemicals with electricity from renewable sources: Similar to photosynthesis, CO2 is to be fixed with electron-transmitting biocatalysts and then linked to further enzymatic conversion steps.

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November 2023 – October 2026

ECOMO

Electrobiocatalytic cascade for bulk reduction of CO2 to CO coupled to fermentative production of high value diamine monomers

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January 2024 – December 2026

eCO2DIS

Simulation-guided development of an electricity or H2-driven in-vitro acetyl-CoA production module as platform chemical from CO2 for diversity oriented synthesis

 

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HanAkku

HanAkku are innovative and easy-to-manufacture 100 percent bio-based hemp shive materials for the targeted storage of substances from solutions and their release (biodepots) for diverse use in the energy, water and agricultural sectors.

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Hydrophobic proteins for surface functionalization

Binding of functional proteins to membrane surfaces can provide them with new properties.

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KERAbond

Plastics and specialty chemicals made from the biopolymer raw material keratin (the main component of animal feathers) to replace fossil sources.

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Laboratory for Technical Biopolymers

The Laboratory for Technical Biopolymers is a project to support companies, especially SMEs, on their way to innovative and sustainable substances and materials as well as to resource-efficient processes.

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Liberate

Goal of the project Liberate is the electrochemical cleavage of lignin for the production of phenol derivatives suitable to replace fossil resources.

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Lignoplast

Developed processes for the chemical industry to produce plastics from wood. The basis are lignins contained in woody biomass.

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LiMeOx

In the LiMeOx project tailor-made biobased plasticizers are produced from monoterpenes.

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PFIFF

The aim of the part of the project worked on at Fraunhofer was the development of a procedure for the purification of Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA).

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PFIFFIG

The aim of the PFIFFIG follow-up project is to further develop the manufacturing process targeting industrial grade.

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ShaPID

In the lighthouse project, technology developments are being driven forward in four complementary areas to demonstrate that sustainable, green chemistry can be achieved through process intensification and digitalization.

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Tape2Grape

Tape2Grape is a 100 percent bio-based multifunctional grafting tape for fruit and ornamental trees, which can be equipped with individual biological ingredients.

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TerPa

This project aims to demonstrate a possible solution en route to a biobased economy, as expected by the German Sustainability Strategy or the National Research Strategy Bioeconomy 2030.

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Xylophon

Lubricants used in the manufacturing industry are still mainly produced petrochemically from fossil resources.

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Further projects

 

BiOptik

DiMeFu (more info only in German)

MapLup

TAKEMA