Www.miljo.chalmers.se GMV – Centre for Environment and Sustainability ScanBalt Campus - Environmental Biotechnology A proposal for a SBC Knowledge Centre

www.miljo.chalmers.seGMV – Centre for Environment and Sustainability

ScanBalt Campus - Environmental Biotechnology

• A proposal for a SBC Knowledge Centre with its node at GMV, and in cooperation with interested partners within ScanBalt Campus

• The scientific basis (in Göteborg):

– The intersection between Chalmers Environmental Initiative (CEI) and Chalmers Bioscience Initiative (CBI) (both initiatives involves Göteborg University)


ScanBalt Campus - Environmental Biotechnology

• Scientific focus:– Production of bio-fuel for the transport sector based on

residues (or products) from forestry and agriculture

– Key activities (in Göteborg):

• Gasification Hans Theliander (CEI)

• Fermentation Lena Gustafsson (CBI)

• Enzymatic treatment Gunnar Bjursell (CBI)

• Global energy scenarios Christian Azar (CEI)

• Life cycle assessments Anne-Marie Tillman (CEI)


Chalmers Environmental Initiative

• 100 MSEK investment, Chalmers foundation

• 7 new professors

• 4 (12) senior scientists

• 8 (20) PhD students

• 200 MSEK external funding


Björn Malbert

Rolf Wolff1 June 2000

Anne-Marie Tillman

Christian AzarFilip JohnssonDonal Murtagh

Hans Theliander

Rolf Wolff


Division of Forest Products and Chemical Engineering

Green Chemistry

(Prof. Hans Theliander, Dr. Harald Brelid, Dr. Tobias Richards, Dr. Peter Sedin)

An important goal:

Go from a oil-based society to a bio-based society

[email protected]

Three areas of great interest

• Extraction of lignin from black liquor (kraft paper pulp process)

• Ethanol production: separation of lignin from process streams

• Gasification of biomaterial

Extraction of lignin from black liquorCooperation between Chalmers and STFI-Packforsk

Pulp digester

Black liquorevaporation

Ligninextraction

to be publishedOct. 2005

Pulpwash

Pulpbleaching

Wood Whiteliquor

Bleachedpulp

To the recoveryboiler

Lignin withlow ash content

Beanch scale tests

Pilot trails

Example of results

• Ash content 0.1 – 0.5 %

• Dry content 65-70%

Next step

• Improve the quality of the lignin– E.g. remove sulfur

Biophysical Chemistry Bioinformatics

CHALMERS BIOSCIENCE INITIATIVE

“Biological Signaling, Recognition, and Communication”

Bioimaging Molceular Biotechnology

15 professors – 4 key areas – 1 common focus

www.chalmers.se/biocenterCHALMERS BIOCENTER

CHALMERS BIOCENTER

CHALMERS’ STRENGTHS

Chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science (computations, modelling)

Bioimaging (microscopy, spectroscopy)

Biomaterials (incl. tissue engineering)

Bioelectronics & microanalytical chemistry

Structural biology (NMR, crystallography, spectroscopy)

Cell and molecular biology/microbiology

www.chalmers.se/biocenter

CHALMERS BIOCENTER

ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

An idea for a network collaboration involving:

- Researchers at CEI, CBI, and GU

- ScanBalt Campus partners

- Diversa Corporation (industrial enzymes)

- Nordic Paper and Pulp industry (Södra cell, SCA, Stora Enso)

- Chemical and Pharmaceutical industry (Akzo Nobel, AstraZeneca, Borealis, Eka Chemicals, etc.)

- Food industry (to be identified)

- The Swedish Farmers Supply and Crop Marketing Association (Lantmännen)

- Other interested parties


CHALMERS BIOCENTER


Potential research projects:

- Modification of surface properties of cellulose fibers (paper, hygien products, etc.)

- Bio-fuel: ethanol, DME

- Enzyme catalyzed sulphur removal from lignin

- Biogasification


CHALMERS BIOCENTER


Tentative time plan (2005)

Summer Contact is made with potential partners

Aug/Sept First (planning) meeting, inventory of EU platforms

November Inspirational meeting/mini-conference

December Application to Swedish research councils



Environmental Biotechnology and the partners of ScanBalt Campus

• Öresund Environmental Academy (Dk/Se) has in cooperation with ScanBalt launched a project involving several central actors within the field of bio-fuels, in specific bio-ethanol, all located in Baltic and Öresund region.

• Aalborg University (Dk) has through the research group ACABS a dedicated R&D commitment to the fields of applied biotechnology, bio-energy and bio-fuels (e.g. biogas).

• Technical University of Denmark (Dk) has through the research group EMAB (Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology) a specific R&D-project dealing with “Optimisation of biological processes applied to bio-ethanol production”.



• Turku BioValley Ltd (Fi) is a network of several bioscience actors all located in Turku. The accumulated competence covers drugs, diagnostics, functional food, biomaterials and bioprocesses.

• Helsinki University of Technology (Fi) is involved in research projects touching both bio-energy applications in general and bio-fuels.

• Aabo Akademi University (Fi) has a great deal of research associated with the development of new, cleaner and more efficient combustion technologies such as pressurized fluidized bed combustion, integrated gasification combined-cycle process and energy generation of black liquor.



• VTT Biotechnology/VTT Energy (Fi) research activities cover the whole bio-energy chain, from harvesting and handling of bio-based fuels to energy conversion technologies and end-use.

• University of Oulo (Fi) has a dedicated research lab focused on bioprocess engineering and various bioscience applications. Research is conducted in the areas such as bio products, bioprocesses and diagnostic tests for medical, pharmaceutical, environmental and industrial applications.

• BioCon Valley (De) gathers a vast number of researchers, institutes and business located in the north of Germany, all working on modern applications of biotechnology ranging from medicine, plants and animal breeding to environmental technology.



• Göteborg and Chalmers University (Se) have several research areas dealing within the fields of biotechnology as bio-medicine, bio-energy, bio-fuels and bio-ethanol. The research is focused on both technological development as well as societal aspects including energy system and resource theory.

• Lund University (Se) has several research projects in the field of bio-energy, bio-fuels and bio-ethanol, primarily through the two departments of Applied Microbiology and Chemical Engineering.

• University of Latvia (Lv) conducts research, through the institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, within the field of bioengineering, biotechnology of microbial biosynthesis and conversion of energy.


EU technology platforms and bio-fuel

• A series of “Technology platforms” will be launched (25 at the current state). Some of these platforms will target bio-fuels in a direct manner, whereas others will target environmental biotechnologies in general.



• “Plants for the future” will focus on a new era of plant biotechnology in a wide range of plausible applications areas: industry, agriculture, forestry, educational, financial, consumer and environmental organisations.

• “Technology platform on Sustainable Chemistry” will

initiate a strategy research agenda in three main technology areas: Industrial Biotechnology, Materials Technology and Research and Design. There is a focus on environmental biotechnologies in industry applications where they have potential of decreasing both water and energy use.



• “Innovation and Sustainable Use of Forest Resources” will strive to ensure its societal contribution in the context of bio-based, costumer-driven and globally competitive economy. Both bio-energy in general and bio-fuels will, most certainly, have a vital role in this platform. The potential of an increased use of renewable forestry-based resources for bio-based energy is recognised.

• “ERTRAC European Road Transport Research Advisory council” will focus on some of the key-challenges that the European road and transport sector faces: increased global competitiveness, create jobs, security of energy supply, pollution and global warming. Environmental technologies are at focus and, hence, bio-fuels will have a vital role in this platform as well.

Documents

Www.miljo.chalmers.se GMV – Centre for Environment and Sustainability ScanBalt Campus - Environmental Biotechnology A proposal for a SBC Knowledge Centre