Plant and process engineering

Today, the strategic alliance ‘ZeroCarbonFootprint – ZeroCarbFP’ is exploring the ways in which this hidden potential could be recovered. The twelve participating partners in the alliance, which officially began work in 2013, are hunting for microorganisms that can use the carbon-rich wastes as substrates and in the process convert them into valuable building blocks and substances for industry.

Flax, also known as linseed, is a fibrous plant that was used as the basic raw material for textiles for hundreds of years, before being eclipsed by cotton. But for some time now, flax has been drawing attention again: Specifically, materials researchers are discovering new potential in it. The very stiffness and durability of the fibres that is something of a disadvantage for textiles is what the scientists are looking for in order to create new composite materials. "The plant has a thin stalk that is extremely rigid.

Methanol is one of the chemical industry’s most important source materials. It is colourless, flammable and smells of alcohol, and the starting point for manufacturing paints and varnishes as well as fuel. In 2015, the global demand for methanol was about 65 million tonnes. However, this compound of carbon monoxide, water and oxygen is produced mainly from finite resources such as mineral oil, natural gas or coal.

No plant and no motor can run without lubricants. The metalworking industry is especially dependent on grease and oil. However, most lubricants consist of mineral oil of fossil origin. Recently, though, bio-lubricants made of sunflowers or rapeseed have been entering the market. They can certainly compete with mineral oil based products. But to date they are no more than niche products. The problem: Bio-lubricants are generally more expensive. Also, using these plants directly to make lubricants denies the foodstuffs industry of valuable raw materials.

Even though only few households own a 3D printer thus far, research and development have been relying on the tool for quite some time now. Over the last few years the three dimensional processing technique has become a particular favourite for the applications of bio based materials. More and more sustainable materials are entering the market and expand the range for 3D printing.

Be it in the food industry, in furniture or construction materials, more customers than ever before are taking an interest in the sustainability of new products. In fact, in many instances biobased materials are now in a position to compete with the characteristics of petroleum-based plastics. Among others, Patrick Hirsch and his colleagues at the Halle-based Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems (IMWS) are working to make this an everyday reality.

The road map outlines ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) has a vision of leading Europe's bioeconomy transition towards 2050 by cutting its carbon footprint by 80% while creating more than 50% more added value.