Chemistry

New synthesis components for de-adhesive bio-adhesives

Adhesives are an integral part of our everyday lives. They can be used to bond a wide variety of materials such as glass and plastic or even wood and metal, ensuring the durability of a wide range of products. However, adhesives are usually based on petroleum-based raw materials and are extremely stable, which makes recycling difficult. In the BIOVIN project, researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT) in Rostock have joined forces with adhesives specialist Henkel to research bio-based adhesives that can be removed again.

Symbiosis of a green alga investigated

As oxygen producers and CO2 reservoirs, algae contribute to the survival of the marine ecosystem and therefore also make a decisive contribution to climate protection. Algae, such as the green algae Ulva, have also long since become an important source of raw materials for industry. They are used to produce active ingredients for medicine or bio-based chemicals, food and animal feed or cosmetic products.

Synthetic biology: Designing microbial communities

Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses never act alone. They form communities, interact and thus have a significant influence on humans and nature. One example of this is the microbial community in the human gut, the so-called microbiome. It is only through the interaction of microorganisms that nutrients are metabolised and made usable for the body. However, if the microbiome is composed incorrectly, this can lead to health problems.

Utilizing rushes as a raw material

Peatlands are huge carbon reservoirs and a hotspot of biodiversity. However, many moors in Germany have been drained in recent decades. Due to their importance for climate and species protection, the German government has put the renaturation and protection of wetlands on the political agenda with the National Moorland Protection Strategy 2022. This also requires new utilization concepts so that farmers can cultivate the renaturalized areas in a climate-friendly and profitable way. This is where the I-Robi project comes in.

Electrochaea: Important step towards industrial biomethane production

Biomethane is considered a sustainable energy source. It can be used not only to generate electricity and heat, but also as a fuel, thus making a decisive contribution to climate and environmental protection. As part of an accelerator program funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC), Electrochaea, a company based in Planegg near Munich, has now been able to bring its innovative technology for climate-neutral biomethane production to commercial scale.

Corden BioChem takes over operations of former Clariant biorefinery

In December last year, the Swiss specialty chemicals company Clariant discontinued the production of cellulosic ethanol from straw at its plant in Romania, which only opened in 2022. The end for the former flagship plant in Podari came as a surprise. According to Clariant, the plant was “unable to meet the targeted operational parameters”. Now the closed Clariant plant has a new operator.

Hemp can replace glass fibers in composite materials

Whether in the home, in sport or in the car: objects made from fiber composites are ubiquitous. By combining several components, such as a plastic matrix with fibers, materials are created that meet the most diverse requirements. Up to now, glass fiber reinforced plastics (GRP) have often been used to produce complex and lightweight molded parts. However, the production of glass fiber releases large quantities of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. The recycling and disposal of so-called GRP materials is also problematic.

Microalgae ink for 3D laser printing

Microalgae not only contain valuable resources. They are also coveted and, above all, efficient biofactories for producing biogenic raw materials for dyes, plastics and biofuel. They only need sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to quickly produce large quantities of biomass. In addition, the cultivation of microalgae binds carbon dioxide. An international research team led by Heidelberg University has now expanded the range of applications for microalgae-based products.