Reference projects

On June 1, 2020, the BioSPRINT project - “Biorefining of sugars through process intensification” - started in an unfamiliar environment. At the kick-off meeting online, project goals and measures were discussed for the 4-year project, which has a financial volume of 6.1 million euros and in which 12 partners are researching bio-based synthetic resins made from hemicellulose under the patronage of DECHEMA.

Funding: BMELV || Duration: May 2009 – April 2012 || The objective of the integrated project is to increase the use of renewable resources and, in the long term, to convert chemical production processes for the production of synthesized building blocks to renewable resources. By means of an integrated development along the whole value creation chain from the pilot scale through to production scale the aim is to implement an integrated production on the basis of renewable resources.

Funding: BMEL; FNR || Duration: June 2016 – May 2019 || The goal of the 2GEnzymes project is to design an integrated process for the production of second generation sugars using ligninolytic enzymes and novel cellulases. In order to increase the economic efficiency of the organosolv process, a fermentation process was developed and scaled to obtain cellulases from Penicillium verruculosum. This allowed cellulase production to be integrated into the overall process, avoiding the cost-intensive use of commercial enzymes.

Funding: BMBF || Duration: April 2018 – April 2021 || In order to operate biorefineries sustainably and economically, the conversion of lignin into high-quality products is essential. Based on this motivation, the project aims to investigate and scale-up various lignin extraction and depolymerization processes that preserve the structure and functionality of lignin. Thus, novel, previously inaccessible aromatic structures with new functionalities and thus a new performance spectrum will be identified, which can be used in a variety of industrial applications.

Funding: state Saxony-Anhalt; IB LSA || Duration: July 2016 – June 2019 || In order to connect for instance wood or cork, mostly petroleum-based adhesive systems are used. Non-natural chemicals are also used to protect the natural materials against microbial infestation as well as fire loads. Thus, the ecological potential of the wood and cork products are reduced.

Funding: IB LSA | Duration: January 2019 – December 2021 || In this project, a multifunctional coating system based on cationic surfactants made from vegetable oil for heat storage tanks, pipes and conveyor belts was developed. The basis is a colloidal system of low molecular weight components in which higher molecular weight aromatic components are dispersed as micelles in water.

Funding: BMBF; PTJ; Spitzencluster BioEconomy || Duration: October 2015 – June 2017 || Within the project Bio-M a new flexible and sustainable process for the production of bioethanol from biogenic carbon dioxide and "green" hydrogen is to be developed and their technical feasibility as well as industrial relevance to be demonstrated.

Funding: BMBF; PTJ; Spitzencluster BioEconomy || Duration: September 2014 – June 2017 || The focus within this project is the synthesis of 100 percent bio-based Solketal (Isopropylidene glycerol) carried out in a semi-continuous reactor. Solketal can be catalyzed from glycerol and acetone under acidic conditions. This synthesis was developed in a laboratory scale by the GLACONCHEMIE GmbH using biogenic glycerol (purely vegetable, by-product from the biodiesel production).

Funding: EU || Duration: January 2012 – December 2015 || BioConSepT aims to demonstrate the technically feasibility of White Biotech processes for the conversion of 2nd generation biomass into platform chemicals. BioConSepT uses lignocellulose and non-edible oils & fats as cheap, abundantly available feedstocks, which cannot be used as food.

Funding: BMBF || Duration: August 2015 – August 2017 || Isobutene is a key molecule for the petrochemical industry. It is currently produced exclusively from fossil sources such as petroleum. Using an alternative manufacturing process developed by Global Bioenergies, biobased isobutene is produced from sugars in a demonstration plant at the Leuna site. In the BioFAA project, biobased isobutene was successfully converted into fuels and fuel additives such as isooctane and ETBE for the first time ever.

Funding: EU || Duration: January 2017 – December 2017 || In the EU project Bio-QED, Fraunhofer IGB and its branch institute Fraunhofer CBP are conducting research into fermentative production processes to produce basic chemicals and regarding the scale-up of the processes. The Institute is concentrating in particular on the itaconic acid value chain. In 2017, the Fraunhofer CBP held a demonstration workshop on this topic in which project highlights and results were presented.

Funding: BMBF; PTJ || Duration: March 2015 – September 2017 || The aim of the project "Biomass disruption Phase 2" is to promote the implementation of the process in a demonstration plant at various levels. The focus is on the following tasks. The precipitation of lignin from the digestion solution by evaporation of the ethanol is to be implemented in the pilot plant as part of the project. A particularly advantageous method has already been developed and patented in the predecessor project together with the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems.

Funding: BMBF; PTJ || Duration: March 2015 – September 2017 || The aim of the project "Biomass disruption Phase 2" is to promote the implementation of the process in a demonstration plant at various levels. The focus is on the following tasks. The precipitation of lignin from the digestion solution by evaporation of the ethanol is to be implemented in the pilot plant as part of the project. A particularly advantageous method has already been developed and patented in the predecessor project together with the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems.

Funding: centre of chemical and biosystems technology || Duration: April 2016 – March 2018 || In this project, biobased 2K epoxy resins based on vegetable oils, which are suitable for the production of foam systems have to be developed.

Funding: Land Sachsen-Anhalt || Duration: November 2020 – April 2022 || When dehulling oilseeds, the hulls accumulate as a by-product that has not yet been further utilized. In the DaeRpa project funded by the state of Saxony-Anhalt, an innovative approach to using rapeseed hulls as an insulating material is being investigated. To this end, the rapeseed hulls are to be covered with a biobased coating to improve their physical and microbial stability as well as their flame-retardant effect.

Funding: Saxony-Anhalt (Hy2Chem platform) || Duration: April 2021 – December 2024 || In the e-CO₂Met project coordinated by TotalEnergies, methanol is to be produced from regeneratively produced hydrogen and concentrated carbon dioxide. This is an important approach to reducing climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions. For the conversion of the green hydrogen and CO₂, Fraunhofer CBP and TotalEnergies are planning a pilot plant that will be set up in the new Fraunhofer Hydrogen Lab at the Leuna Chemical Park.

Funding: BMBF; PTJ; Spitzencluster BioEconomy || Duration: May 2015 – September 2017 || The development of foamed biopolymers and a corresponding processing technology is a major result of this project. The novel property profile of the materials produced from almost 100% regenerative sources is conveyed beyond the simple material substitution by an appealing material-based design.

Funding: BMEL || Duration: September 2017 – Februar 2022 || Fraunhofer CBP is researching new processes for the treatment of rapeseed. In the “EthanNa®” project, cell disruption and recovery of valuable materials are carried out with ethanol instead of the usual solvents. In this way, the quality of the products rapeseed oil and rapeseed concentrate is expected to be significantly increased. In addition, the project also aims to isolate novel recoverable substances that previously could not be obtained from rapeseed. The project's objective is the establishment of a pilot plant at the Leuna site.

Funding: state of Saxony-Anhalt; ERDF || Duration: March 2016 – September 2019 || The planned conversion and expansion measures concern the further development and optimization of the Organosolv process with the aim of increasing the economic efficiency of the overall process and transferring the plant concept into a demonstration plant.

Funding: BMBF, PTJ || Duration: June 2017 – May 2020 || 2,5 Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is a biobased alternative to petrochemically produced terephthalic acid, which is used in the production of PET and polyesters for the packaging and textile industries. The FDCAzymes project aims to develop tailor made enzymes for the conversion of 5 hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to FDCA, whereby the Fraunhofer CBP will supply the raw material (lignocellulose sugar and HMF) and is partner for process development and scale up.