"Strategic Design Principles for Greener Biorefinery: A Review Paper"

Our latest edited book entitle Nanocellulose: Harnessing Sustainability from Biomass to Biocomposites (2026) will be published soon by Elsevier. Editors: S.M. Sapuan, Imran Ahmad and N. M. Nurazzi (me) eBook ISBN:978-0443414695 Nanocellulose: Harnessing Sustainability from Biomass to Biocomposites presents a detailed review of the latest advances in nanocellulose-reinforced biocomposites, with a particular emphasis on their processing, properties, and performance. Through detailed case studies, the chapters cover the conceptual design process, including materials selection, fabrication processes, characterization techniques and innovations in applications and performance. The book also emphasizes the need for meticulous design and tailored process development, which are crucial for selected applications. The book also includes a dedicated chapter on the market value of the global nanocellulose industry and assesses its contribution to sustainability. The mechanical, thermal and electrical performance properties of these materials are also discussed in detail, as well as the structure-property relationship. With its focus on idea generation and informed decision-making, the book will serve as a valuable reference resource for all individuals engaged in this area of research, fostering a vision for sustainable product development in the future. - Includes detailed information on the fundamentals of nanocellulose including its anatomy, morphological characterization, isolation, extraction, modification and functionalization -Covers applications in wastewater treatment, as propellants, in biomedical, structural, electronic and food packaging sectors -Discusses economic, social, and environmental aspects, and life cycle analysis and assessment -Covers seaweed-based nanocellulose, microalgae, both carbon and graphene reinforced hybrid epoxy composites, and palm oil biomass -Addresses key challenges, and future outlooks

Researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) in Germany have developed a new method that could enable decentralised production of methanol directly from biomass under mild reaction conditions https://lnkd.in/eiJ5-pv2

Hydrogen from biomass. Biohydrogen is the source of energy that uses living microorganisms to make hydrogen via biological processes. A novel option, hydrogen production from lignocellulosic biomass based on renewable resources, is currently in a pilot-scale demonstration stage with few applications entering the commercialisation phase. Lignocellulosic biomass is derived from agri-food residues, energy crops, marine residues, and forest by-products. Currently, several types of technology are underway for the production of H2 utilising (lignocellulosic) biomass, such as thermochemical processes, biological conversions, and electrochemically-assisted production. 🌱 Biohydrogen Production Processes Biohydrogen can be produced through three main pathways, each leveraging different scientific principles and technologies: 🔥 1. Thermochemical Process These methods involve high-temperature chemical reactions to convert biomass into hydrogen. - Gasification: Converts organic materials into syngas (a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide) using heat and a controlled amount of oxygen or steam. - Pyrolysis: Decomposes biomass at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, producing bio-oil, gases, and char. - Aqueous Phase Reforming: Uses water-soluble biomass-derived compounds (like sugars or alcohols) in a catalytic process to generate hydrogen at moderate temperatures. 🧫 2. Biological Process These techniques use microorganisms to produce hydrogen under specific conditions. - Biological Water Gas Shift: Microbes convert carbon monoxide and water into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. - Dark Fermentation: Anaerobic bacteria break down organic substrates (e.g., glucose) in the absence of light to produce hydrogen. - Photo-fermentation: Light-dependent microbial process where photosynthetic bacteria convert organic acids into hydrogen. ⚡ 3. Electrochemical Process This category involves the use of electrical energy to drive hydrogen production, though the flowchart does not detail subtypes. UNECE Hydrogen Technology brief.

♻️ From Research to Practice: The Biomass Valorization Recommender Tool How can biomass be best utilized, choosing solutions that are sustainable, economically viable, and aligned with circular economy principles? A recent scientific paper introduces the Biomass Valorization Recommender Tool, a digital system that helps biomass producers, policymakers, and technology providers identify the most suitable valorization pathway. The tool assesses: 🔹 Biomass quality characteristics 🔹 Applicable technologies (anaerobic digestion, gasification, pyrolysis, etc.) 🔹 Socio-economic indicators 🔹 Waste hierarchy and biomass pyramid principles The outcome? A ranked list of biomass valorization pathways – from food ingredients to biofuels and energy production – plus additional calculations to assess co-digestion feasibility and biogas production potential. Within the #TRINEFLEX project, this tool has been tested at our pilot plants, demonstrating how research can be transformed into practical solutions to increase feedstock flexibility and reduce waste. 📄 Learn more by reading the paper and see how science can support the transition toward a circular bioeconomy. --> https://lnkd.in/dKzdD2Zt I-SENSEGroup/ICCS  Vasiliki Tzelepi

Data backed ways to boost 2 5-Furandicarboxylic acid sustainability: You see rapid growth in demand for 2 5-Furandicarboxylic acid, driven by advancements in biobased synthesis and catalytic innovations. Technologies like one-pot conversion of fructose yield up to 95%, minimizing hazardous by-products. Key Takeaways 1.Use renewable biomass and biobased synthesis … Continue reading → #ManufacturingIndustry #MarketingSales #US #WebsiteBlog #World

A new review reveals that converting biomass pyrolysis byproduct, bio-tar, into bio-carbon can yield a profit of up to USD 2.38 per kilogram. The resulting material, with a calorific value of 28.2 MJ/kg, provides a high-performance fuel source and contributes to a potential USD 2.4 billion economic benefit by 2030. Learn More 👉

Excited to share our recent publication in Biofuel Research Journal (BRJ) on using 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 for the 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀! Our study demonstrates how 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 can overcome a long-standing bottleneck in the biomass pretreatment “kingdom”: 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁/𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 and 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 that often constrain efficiency and profitability. By enabling 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 and 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, together with our accompanying studies recently published in Green Chemistry on mechanistic exploration (https://lnkd.in/g3VEp_ca), ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering on techno-economic analysis (https://lnkd.in/g92Q6TtR), and RSC Sustainability (https://lnkd.in/gakJz9EE) on process comparison, we highlight a 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗩𝗜𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆 for biomass deconstruction. This work wouldn’t have been possible without an incredible team: my fellow teammates and core contributors Dr. Anagha Krishnamoorthy and Dr. Joseph Palasz, and the broader LBNL/JBEI/ABPDU community, including Dr. Ramana Pidatala, Ph.D., Tyrell Lewis, Yang Tian, Dr. Carolina Araujo Barcelos, Xinyi zhou, Dr. Xihui Kang Ph.D., Dr. Yinglei Han, Dr. Chang Dou, PhD, Dr. Hemant Choudhary, Dr. Ning Sun, Dr. Eric Sundstrom, and Dr. Aymerick Eudes, whose dedication and collaboration built the foundation for this success. And of course, my supervisor Dr. Blake Simmons, whose passion, guidance, and steady support have been invaluable, driving progress toward both engineering goals and fundamental science. We gratefully acknowledge funding support from the DOD Tri-Service Biotechnology for a Resilient Supply Chain (T-BRSC) program, as well as the institutional support of Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) and Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU) at Berkeley Lab. Read the paper here: https://lnkd.in/gvxWR-gc #Bioenergy #Biofuel #Biomass #Deconstruction

Pleased to share our new paper entitled “Co-Pyrolysis of Biomass with Bituminous Coal in a Fixed-Bed Reactor for Biofuel and Bioreducing Agents Production”, published in Sustainability. DOI: https://lnkd.in/dZr75_G8 This paper discusses the co-pyrolysis of biomass with bituminous coal in a fixed-bed reactor to produce biofuel and bioreducing agents, underlining the interactions and effects on reaction dynamics and product yields. The interaction between caking bituminous coal and biomass was analyzed using lab-scale fixed-bed reactor experiments and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The study of co-pyrolysis is of interest because it allows the use of biomass residues, reducing the reliance on fossil coal by replacing it with renewable carbon sources.

🔬 New Publication Alert! 🌱 Excited to share our latest research article, now published in the journal Biofuels: 📖 "Two-stage cultivation of microalga for sustainable biofuel production" 🔗 Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/grnBs8Pz In this study, we present a two-stage cultivation strategy using Scenedesmus sp. GTAF_01 IU to significantly enhance lipid accumulation for biofuel production: ✅ Stage 1: Controlled biomass generation in a closed photobioreactor ✅ Stage 2: Lipid induction under nutrient stress in open ponds This two step approach balances efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, marking a step forward in the development of sustainable algal biofuels. 🧪 Key contributions: Improved lipid yield without genetic modification Cost-optimized process suitable for scale-up A feasible model for biofuel production in developing regions We hope this adds meaningful insight to the ongoing global conversation around green energy and carbon-neutral fuel alternatives. 📚 DOI: 10.1080/17518253.2025.2543909 #Biofuel #Microalgae #SustainableEnergy #ResearchPublication #GreenTechnology #AcademicResearch #AlgalBiotechnology #CleanEnergy #IITBHU #IntegralUniversity

VALORISATION OF BIOMASS    Making the most of organic waste! Learn more in the session Valorisation of biomass, chaired by Dieter Vogt. Three young scientists: Elisabeth Hundt, Phillip Nathrath, Martin Meiller visualize processes to transform biomass into new feedstocks.      #all about valorisation of biomass – content of the session:   👉 Utilise waste and to use sustainable processes in order to meet the increasing demand for platform chemicals such as lactic acid or formic acid, which are required to manufacture a wide range of products.  👉 Transforming wet biomass waste into sustainable methanol      Dive deeper into this topic and book a ticket: https://lnkd.in/eHd2ubrx    Speaker of the Session Chemistry for Hydrogen Logistics 📑program: https://lnkd.in/eadDMdb2    A chemical and engineering analysis of the conversion of biomass to lactic acid using POMs under nitrogen atmosphere   🎤 Elisabeth Hundt, Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Universität Hamburg    Transforming wet biomass waste into sustainable methanol: Concept study of a competitive and mild process route  🎤 Phillip Nathrath, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg    NET-Fuels – Integrating negative emission technologies in biofuels production  🎤  Martin Meiller, Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany    #syngas #hydrogen #energytransition #chemistry #logisticy #biomass #waste #renewable #methanol