Bioeconomy Science Center
Research and cooperation for a sustainable bioeconomy
Bioeconomy Science Center
Research and cooperation for a sustainable bioeconomy

BioSC Workshop “Applied Perennial Plant Pulping”

On 22 September the BioSC Workshop „Applied Perennial Plant Pulping“ took place in Aachen. Overall around 30 PhD Students, Post-Docs and early stage researchers gained a unique chance to get closer insight on the topic of lignocellulose processing provided by experts from academia and industry.

The workshop targeted to provide knowledge on different strategies existing for the conversion of biomass. Overall around 30 PhD Students, Post-Docs and early stage researchers attended the workshop.

In the morning, lectures about the corresponding activities in the BioSC took place. They were followed by an interactive workshop on Process Design for Biorefinerie in the afternoon. This part gave the attendees the opportunity to understand the process of designing a suitable processing chain to get from a substrate to a product by choosing from different downstream options.

In the first part of the workshop, among other things, the "Center for Next Generation Processes and Products" (NGP²) was shown and the advantages of the integrated pilot plant were discussed with the attendees. The BioSC Focus Lab AP3, as a holistic and sustainable integrated lignocellulosic biorefinery concept, was also presented and discussed with the participants. Rudy Parton, an experienced chemist and engineer at GFBiochemicals, presented his project "Levulinic acid: a versatile chemical from virgin/waste biomass up to a chemical end of pipe solution for biomass derived products". This was followed by an interactive workshop on process design for biorefineries. The junior scientists had the possibility to apply their acquired knowledge directly in practice. Divided into two groups, the participants had the opportunity to develop their own process design and then present it to the other participants.

A future bio based economy needs novel concepts for integrated biorefineries. Understanding the current capabilities, barriers, and opportunities for such an integrated biorefinery working to produce biochemicals, bioproducts, and biofuels is a prerequisite for young scientists in the whole field of bioeconomy.

 The programme of the workshop is available here.