Industrial biotechnology

The use of renewable raw materials and biogenic residues in sustainable production processes offers alternative solutions for chemistry based on fossil raw materials. The aim of the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Field is the development of biotechnological processes for the production of biobased fine and platform chemicals for further processing in the chemical industry or in branches such as cosmetics, cleaning agents and plastics or adhesives.

Conversion of sugars and oils with enzymes and microorganisms

We primarily use monosaccharides, vegetable oils or other biobased extracts as raw materials for biotechnological conversion. We are concerned with screening for new, industrially usable enzymes and the optimized recombinant production of these enzymes. In addition, we use novel microorganisms as biocatalysts.

Process development, optimization, scale-up

Processes are optimized with regard to influencing factors of substrates and culture media components and adapted for scale-up. Thus, in addition to development, a transfer of the new process concepts from laboratory to pilot plant scale (10,000 liters fermentation capacity) can be optimized.

One focus is on adaptation to alternative carbon sources, e.g. sugar hydrolysates from wood waste, which are produced in the in-house organosolv process. The main objective is the alternative production of chemicals, which are usually extracted from crude oil.

In addition, enzymes and other proteins are produced. The fermentative production and liquefaction of gaseous products in an ATEX-capable demonstration plant with over 1,500 measuring points is also part of the competence of biotechnology.

Due to the wide range of equipment, up- and downstream processes can be carried out promptly. The similar constructed and well characterized bioreactors allow the scaling of processes according to various criteria up to industrial maturity.