Green chemistry, green materials a knowledge and innovation agenda

Green

chemistry,

green

materials

a

knowledge

and

innovation

agenda

Herman van Wechem

Scientific and Technological Committee for the 

Biobased Economy  (WTC) 

KIVI‐NIRIA jaarcongres

Slim

Materiaalgebruik

Proces and position

Scientific & Technology Committee Biobased Economy

• WTC is an independent advisery commitee to the 

ministry of EL&I, for technology and science

• _{Started 2009, report in april 2011}

• _{2011‐2012: implementation of the agenda} • _{in a network with business and NGO’s}

April 2011: report ‘Towards green chemistry and 

green materials’

• 35 interviews business leaders, research 

coördinators

• _{Workshops on theme’s: agro and logistics,} 

chemistry and energy, sociëtal aspects. 

Biobased economy

• Completely new industrial structure:

– Agro‐chemical‐logistic in nature

– Inherently sustainable

– Industry closer to the source of biomass

– Waste is a resource

• _{Long‐term process:}

– Will have an effect on agriculture, industry, 

Many

different

drivers

for

a

Biobased Economy

• High energy prices

• Security of energy supply

• Shortage of cheap oil

• Climate change by green house gasses

• Rural development

• Developing countries

• Geo‐political conditions

Different countries/groups are confident however that 

The

value pyramid

• Energy at the bottom

• Fine chemicals at the top

• In green chemistry, the 

whole value pyramid is 

valorized

• _{The buzzword is:} 

Social consequences

• Sustainability will become economic guideline

• Decentralization of industry

• New world trade patterns

• New world resource politics

• Many countries already embark on the path to a biobased economy

Regulation

• Domination of the ‘fossil’ world:

– Subsidies and tax exemptions

– Difficulty in financing biobased projects

• _{Policy that stimulates biofuels but not}

biomaterials

• Waste regulation

The

innovation agenda

• Six knowledge clusters on the way to a 

biobased economy:

– Green bulk chemistry

– Catalysis

– Biorefinery

– Holistic chemistry

– Agriculture and logistics

Towards a

biobased society

• The biobased economy effects all sectors of 

society

• Support from society and consumers

• Who benefits? Share of the economic value over the production chain

An example of a flow‐chart for 

products from petroleum‐based 

feedstocks

Analogous example of a bio‐

based product flow‐chart for 

biomass feedstocks

Source: NREL, DoE

Biomass fermentable sugar ethanol ethylene PE

The New Biomass value chain by biorefinery:

€

Food

Healthy, tasty, sufficient 1st Agro logistics Food pretreatment FoodconversionFood production

€ Existing non- food: • Feed • Paper • Additives • Fibres/ clothes • Wood for cooking . Biomass sources Agro-food production By products & waste Logistics&storage NL production Imports

Existing conversion _{Existing production}

€ Biobased Products • Biobased materials • Bio-based chemicals • Bio-fuels • Bio-energy New production Performance materials Base&platform chemicals Performance chemicals Bio Energy

Starch

industry

in

Examples

of

(existing)

packaging

applications

Examples

of

(existing)

Examples of (existing) durable applications

Processing:

3D

‐

foamed

structures

• Expandable bead technique

– Good cell structure

Markets End products Technical parts,  Electronics Industrial/ Technical Fish, Meat,  Produce Food Horticulture Cavity, exterior Wall  insulation Boards, systems Floor  insulation Road  construction Civil  engineering Pitched, flat Roof  insulation

Sustainable Insulation Systems (SIS)

Seed trays

Markets End products

Industrial Products & Solutions (IPS)

Water 

filtration

Biostyr®

SYNBRA:

Broad range

of

EPS

applications

1 9

Sustainability Driven Innovation by Purac

• 1st _{generation PLA:}

• Low performing amorphous of PLA

• 2nd _{generation PLA:}

• Performing crystalline PLA based on stereocomplex technology using D-lactide monomers and non-GMO feedstocks

• 3rd _{generation PLA: Gypsum Free Fermentation}

Technology for Lactic Acid • Less Chemicals

• Lower environmental footprint

• Significant improvement in LCA

• 4th _{Generation PLA: Cellulose based Lactic acid}

• Fullfilling agreed sustainability criteria

• Most efficient land use

Lactic acid Lime

Biomass _Gypsum Co-Products Sulphuric acid Energy

Fermentation Acidification Purification

Purac:Lactic acid process

Lactic acid Lime

Biomass _Gypsum Co-Products Sulphuric acid Energy

Fermentation Acidification Purification

Purac: Gypsum free lactic acid production now proven

In-situ concrete by carbonate fixation

Biogrout

Biogrout & & bioconcretebioconcrete: from soft : from soft rock solid

2,5

‐

Furandicarboxylic

Acid

A Versatile Building Block for a Very Interesting Class of 

Polyesters & Polyamides

24

Feedstock Conversion Green products

Favorable properties

Processing fits with existing infrastructure

Superior economics Fit with existing assets Pilot Plant operational at 

Chemelot Feedstock flexible

Sugar and starch

Avantium’s YXY

Conversion

Technology

Proprietary process technology:

• Chemical‐catalytic process: fast and 

efficient 

• 100% theoretical carbon efficiency 

• Fit with existing production installations  

• Protected by strong patent portfolio

Carbohydrates RMF Dehydration Green  Materials/fuels        Oxidation FDCA Polyesters Polyamides Polyurethanes Polymerization Carbohydrates RMF Dehydration Green  Materials/fuels        Oxidation FDCA Polyesters Polyamides Polyurethanes Polymerization O R O O O H O O O H O

CRODA:

Raw

Materials

for

Oleochemicals

Vegetable

CRODA:

Oleochemische

produkten

Traditionele Oleochemische toepassingen:

• Vetzuren voor o.a. wasmiddelen, smeermiddelen, hoogglans verf, rubber, 

cosmetica esters

• Stearine voor kaarsen

• Zeep; voor handzeep en wasmiddelen

• Glycerine; heel veel toepassingen zoals shampo, tandpasta, wasmiddelen, verf, PU 

What

a

difference

a

day

makes

Colour fade resistance from Home Care with Coltide HSi

A new innovative approach to total

Transition path…

1. Green chemistry still with a foothold in 

biofuels and petrochemical industry

2. Catalysis and fermentation: approaching 

agriculture

3. Biorefinery: directly from plants and 

Acknowledgement

This presentation is based on material made available by: Johan Sanders, WUR

Christiaan Bolck, WUR Jan van Breugel, PURAC Luuk van der Wielen, TUD Peter Nossin, DPI

Jan Noordegraaf, SYNBRA Ed de Jong, Avantium

Hans Ridderikhoff, CRODA Deltares

….and from discussions with my colleques in the Scientific and Technologic Committee for the Bio Based Economy from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and 

Innovation: Vinus Zachariasse, Alle Bruggink, Ton Sloot Uiterkamp, Rietje van Dam,