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Levulinic acid biorefineries

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Publication date: 16/11/2015 Last update: 20/02/2016 Description 1,2 Levulinic acid (also known as 4-oxopentanoic acid or γ-ketovaleric acid) is an organic compound with chemical formula C 5 H 8 O 3 . It is a white crystalline solid soluble in water and polar organic solvents. It contains ketone and a carboxylic group whose presence results in interesting reactivity patterns. It is one of the more recognized Biobased Chemical Building Blocks , a starting material for a wide number of compounds (see Applications below). In fact, it was recognized by the US DoE as one of the top biobased platform chemicals of the future and it can successfully address many performance-related issues attributed to petroleum-based chemicals and materials. Process technologies 1,3,4,5 The controlled degradation of C6-sugars by acids is the most widely used approach to prepare levulinic acid from lignocellulosic biomass. Other methods have also been studied, for instance, the hydroly...
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Biobased acrylic acid

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Versión en Español Type of post: Fact sheet. Series: Biobased chemicals – Organic acids. Publication date: 05/05/2021. Last update: 05/05/2021. Description - Organic acid with 3 carbon atoms. - It is a clear, colourless, corrosive liquid with a characteristic acrid or tart smell. - Other names: prop-2-enoic acid. Applications - Formation of homopolymers or copolymers which are used in the manufacture of various adhesives, coatings, diapers, detergents, paints, plastics and textiles. The main use of crude acrylic acid is the generation of acrylate esters, followed by the production of polyacrylic acid, used mostly in superabsorbent polymers. - Chemical intermediate in multiple industrial processes. Conventional petrochemical route - Cracking of fossil naphtha to produce propylene / Oxidation of propylene. Main biobased routes - [3-HPA via] Fermentation of sugars to produce 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HPA) / Dehydration of 3-HPA. - [Biobased naphtha via] Cracking of biobased naphth...
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Biorrefinerías de ácido levulínico

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Fecha de publicación: 16/11/2015 Última actualización: 20/02/2016 Descripción 1,2 El ácido levulínico (también conocido como ácido 4-oxopentanoico o ácido γ-cetovalérico) es un compuesto orgánico con fórmula química C 5 H 8 O 3 . Es un sólido cristalino soluble en agua y en disolventes orgánicos polares. Contiene un grupo cetona y un grupo carboxilo cuya presencia posibilita patrones reactivos interesantes. Es uno de los “ Biobased Chemical Building Blocks ” más reconocidos, precursor de un amplio número de compuestos (véase el apartado Aplicaciones más abajo). De hecho, fue reconocido por el DoE como una de las principales moléculas plataforma del futuro y puede cubrir de manera eficaz muchas de las atribuciones de productos químicos y materiales procedentes del petróleo. Tecnologías de proceso 1,3,4,5 La degradación controlada de azúcares C6 mediante ácidos es el proceso más usado para preparar ácido levulínico a partir de biomasa lignocelulósica. Se han estu...
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Vertoro wins grant to build a lignin biorefinery in the Port of Rotterdam

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Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Vertoro has announced that its “Goldilocks by sea” proposal won a REACT-EU grant (2 M€) to co-finance all engineering, permitting and ground works activities for a 250 ktons/year biorefinery in the Port of Rotterdam. LinkedIn post , 24/06/2021. Related posts: - “ Sainc Energy plans to build an advanced biorefinery in Andalusia ”, 13/09/2018. - “ Sekab and Vertoro to build a demo biorefinery to produce a new platform for sustainable fuels, chemicals and materials ”, 11/03/2020. Figure 1. Goldilocks oil (taken from Vertoro website) This biorefinery will convert industrial wood residues like sawdust into some 50,000 tons of cellulosic ethanol, alongside roughly 125,000 tons of lignin-based Goldilocks crude oil. The crude has multiple applications including its use as a gasifier- and cracker feedstock as well as a marine fuel. GEM (Goldilocks Enriched Methanol) offers a lower average price per calorie and improves important combustio...
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Profile: Nantek – Nanomaterials as a reagent, the key to take chemical recycling to the next level

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Versión en Español Type of post: PROFILE OF COMPANY/TECHNOLOGY. The company: Nantek Nantek is a startup based in Erandio (Basque Country, Spain) that offers solutions for the industry based on nanomaterials, mainly from nanoelements. The promoters of this initiative have allocated 100,000 € of initial investment to R&D from their own funds. In addition, they are closing their first round of investment for the first pilot plant in Bizkaia worth more than 1 M€, expected to be closed in stages throughout 2020. Nantek team started working with the nanoelements several years ago, when their intensive use was not feasible and the laboratories only generated small quantities. In recent years, new manufacturing processes have been developed leading to industrial applications that meet the expectations placed on these promising materials. In this sense, Nantek is working in its use as a reagent to transform plastic into an ultra-low sulphur fuel and other alternative pr...
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