Chemical and Biotechnological Processes

This division addresses issues relating to the development of chemical and biotechnological processes and their combination to create fully scalable procedures. The division primarily uses biomass and CO_₂ as raw materials to enable the transformation to sustainable and resilient value chains for producing chemicals and materials. Examples of such process developments range from the fermentative production of biosurfactants and the chemical modification of fat residues for the production of sustainable solvents to the CO₂-based synthesis of fuels and basic chemicals.

Material use of biogenic raw and residual materials, CO₂ and water

Fraunhofer IGB deals with the development of innovative processes and processes for the material use of regenerative resources (lignocelluloses, carbohydrates, oilseed, protein fractions, CO₂) for the production of chemicals. Biogas and syngas also play an increasingly important role.

Focus on scaling and the operation of customer-owned facilities

A particular focus is always placed on the fundamental scalability of the processes, which can be offered consistently on a laboratory, benchtop, and pilot scale thanks to the collaboration between the Stuttgart and Leuna sites. In addition, there is expertise in the construction, integration, and research operation of customer-owned plants. This concept is particularly attractive for demonstration projects, e.g., by start-ups, to reduce investment costs and ramp-up risk.

Value chain from raw material to product

With the existing know-how, a wide range of process steps for the development of processes from the laboratory (TRL 3-4) to the pilot plant scale (TRL 6) can be covered. This combines processes to investigate complete value chains from raw material supply and conditioning to the isolation of material flows and its chemical transformation as well as implemented processes for effective product separation and purification. Sample quantities from kilogram to ton scale can be provided.

Research and technology infrastructure up to the pilot and demonstration scale

Thanks to the division's special research and technology infrastructure, with fermentation capacities of up to 10 m³, integrated biorefineries for processing lignocellulose, oilseeds, and insects, and a range of different chemical reactors and processing technology in an industry-oriented environment, the division is particularly active in research into faster and lower-risk scalability of chemical and biotechnological processes. This includes, in particular, the continuous alignment of relevant infrastructures with industrial needs and political framework conditions (e.g., Germany's High-Tech Agenda).

One such instrument, which is being promoted with significant involvement from the division, is IBISBA. This is a pan-European initiative for the strategic networking of research infrastructures in the field of industrial biotechnology, which aims to take the form of a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC). Issues such as interoperability and improved access to pilot plants are to be addressed more intensively by the division within this framework.

In addition to scaling external processes, the division is also developing its own processes in strategic areas. These include, for example

• Bioprocess development for the fermentative production of biosurfactants and biopolymers
• Biorefinery concepts for the full utilization of all material flows from (reclaimed) wood, rapeseed, and also insects
• Sustainable chemical processes to support the transformation of the chemical industry's raw material base toward sustainable alternatives such as biomass (especially lignin and hemicellulose) and CO₂. The integration of processing technologies through to the final product plays a particularly important role here.

To pursue the activities described, the division cooperates closely with the Innovative Synthesis Processes and Smart Engineering and Scale-up divisions.