Fraunhofer Project Group

Starting July 1, 2009, a Fraunhofer Project Group, named „Catalytic processes for a sustainable resource and energy supply on basis of renewable resources”, assigned to the Chair of Chemistry of Biogenic Resources will be established at the Science Center Straubing.

The project group aims for development and establishment of a technology platform “catalysis and process screening for a sustainable resource supply of the chemical industry on basis of renewable resources” using the nature’s optimum synthesis power and the developed chemo and bio catalysts.  An integrated approach will be pursued to show the entire process chain from raw material through catalyst to the product.

During the research and development work the project group will have their emphasis on the following subjects:

1.    Development of high-throughput screening methods

High-throughput screening is still a new method in the field of catalyst research and was hardly used on reactions of renewable resources. Both, the accelerated production and testing of catalysts are predominant. Some concepts are already established in the pharmaceutical research but for applications regarding catalysis some completely new solutions must be developed. The following development activities are of strategic importance:

• Development of strategies for a fast reaction screening of renewable resources
• Development of strategies for a fast screening of the catalytic breakup of renewable resources

2.    Development of catalyst and processes for the transformation (chemo and bio transformation ) of renewable plant materials

A sustainable chemistry requires the use of alternative, biogenic resources. The following development guidelines are of strategic importance for the extraction and conversion of renewable resources:

• Development of specific catalysts for the targeted conversion of terpenes (reactions on double bonds, regio and stereo selective introduction of functional groups)
• Development of specific catalysts for the targeted conversion of fatty acids (reactions on the terminal methyl group and on the double bonds
• Development of specific catalysts for the production of aromatics, e.g. through targeted conversion of lignin
• Development of integrated processes that combine enzymatic and metal-based homogenous catalysis

3.    Development of catalysts and processes for customized biopolymers

Polymer-materials gain a raising share in different application fields. Especially the specific development of new polymer structures on basis of biogenic resources requires the application of catalytic processes. Important development guidelines in the field of customized biopolymers are:

• Development of temperature stable, aging resistant and cost effective catalysts for the synthesis of biopolymers
• Development of new catalytic processes for the production of customized, bio-based copolymers

The project group will also work at TU-Munich’s Garching site, in close cooperation with the chairs of chemistry and biochemical engineering.

Eastern Baveria is particularly suitable as location for the Fraunhofer Project Group. Extensive agriculture and forestry provide a high abundance of biogenic resources from local crops. In addition, with its Industrial Park Straubing-Sand and its port, Straubing is a hub for biogenic resources from Eastern Europe. In cooperation with several chemical companies situated within the Bavarian Chemical Triangle and in the Industrial Park of Linz,  the entire region has the potential to become a pioneer in producing sustainable chemistry.