RTDS
RTDS Association is the non-profit arm of RTDS Group for implementation of the non-profit, EU funded projects. RTDS is an SME specializing in the development, implementation and communication of research, innovation and technological development projects, which includes IP management and business planning.
RTDS provides professional management and dissemination services, tools and training to research institutions, SMEs and other organizations involved in international research and cooperation. RTDS is partner in several completed and on-going European Union Framework projects covering health, environment, food and agriculture (KBBE), and bio-based industries (BBI).
Research
CE Delft, (NL)
CE Delft is an independent research and consultancy organisation specialised in developing innovative solutions to environmental problems. CE Delft is skilled across a wide range of environmental topics and also familiar with the associated policy networks: trade and industry, government and non-governmental organisations alike. The solutions CE Delft delivers are technologically robust, economically prudent, politically feasible and socially equitable. Eager to share its knowledge and understanding, CE Delft makes its research findings publicly available whenever it can.
Role in the project: In SUSBIND, CE Delft sets out to ensure that the produced bio based resin developed has a lower carbon footprint and human health impact when used in an adhesive system than the current formaldehyde based adhesive systems and that the biobased adhesive is in line with all market and regulatory requirements.
Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB), (ES)
CIB, the Group of Biotechnology for Lignocellulosic Biomass, belongs to the Microbial and Plant Biotechnology Department of the Biological Research Center, (Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas – CIB), the largest Biology institute of the Spanish Research Council (CSIC). The scientific objectives of the group are related to the use of microorganisms (mainly filamentous fungi) and their enzymes in industrial processes to obtain fuels, materials and chemicals (White Biotechnology) from renewable plant resources. The final aim is to contribute to the sustainable development of our society and reduce the biosphere warming by a reduced consumption of fossil resources.
Role in the project: In SUSBIND, CIB contribution will be in the lab scale production and use of oxidative enzymes in the development of biobased adhesives for both particle and fibre boards. More specifically, they will look at the oxidative activation of unsaturated components of vegetable oils (with the so-called unspecific peroxygenases) to epoxides and other derivatives of interest.
CSIC Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS-CSIC), (ES)
IRNAS-CSIC, the group “Lignocellulosic Materials of Industrial Interest” belongs to the Department of Plant Biotechnology at IRNAS, which is one of the institutes in the area of Agriculture of CSIC, the largest public research body in Spain and the third in Europe, and Associated BIC Member. The group has high expertise in the chemical characterization of lignocellulose biomass components such as lipids and lignin by different analytical techniques (including GC, GC-MS and SPE fractionation for lipid analyses; and Py-GC/MS, 2D NMR and degradative techniques, such as thioacidolysis and derivatization followed by reductive cleavage (DFRC) for lignin analyses).
Role in project: IRNAS will be in charge of the chemical analyses of vegetable oils by GC-MS as well as of the research on enzymatic epoxidation reactions (at lab scale) of unsaturated fatty acids by several unspecific peroxygenases (UPOs) to obtain fatty epoxides to be used for the development of oil biobased adhesives for both particle and fiber boards.
Fraunhofer IGB, (DE)
https://www.igb.fraunhofer.de/en.html
The Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB) is one of 69 institutes of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Germany’s leading organization for application-oriented research with research units in Europe, the USA and Asia. The majority of the 24.500 staff are qualified scientists and engineers, who work with an annual research budget of about €2,1 billion. Their services are solicited by customers and contractual partners in industry, the service sector and public administration. The Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB offers R&D solutions in the fields of health, chemistry and process industry as well as the environment and energy. Fraunhofer IGB participates in a multitude of national, EU and international projects.
Role in the project: In SUSBIND, Fraunhofer will collaborate in the development of new enzymatic technology for selective epoxidation of unsaturated plant fatty acid and oils with peroxygenases. For this, Fraunhofer has strong competences and expertise on bioprocess engineering, scaling up and downstream processing. Fraunhofer IGB is experienced in optimizing fermentation processes as well as enzymatic conversion processes. Starting from lab scale-experiments main goals are the investigation of best growth or conversion condition to obtain the highest space-time-yield possible. Batch, fed batch as well as continuous processes and enzyme recycling for an economic process are studied. Scaling up is another core competence: dimensional analysis is applied to ensure process similarity for enzymatic conversion processes in stirred tanks on different reaction scales.
Kompetenzzentrum (WoodK+), (AT)
Wood K plus is a leading research institute in the area wood and wood-related renewable resources in Europe. The core competences are materials research and process technology along the complete value chain – from raw material to finished products.
Role in the project: Wood K plus is responsible for the development of alternative, bio-based adhesives – based on carbohydrates – for its use in wood-based composites.
TU Dresden, (DE)
The International Institute Zittau (IHI Zittau), a Central Academic Unit of the Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden), is the only excellence university in East Germany. Founded in 1993, it is especially dedicated to the joint education of German and foreign Master and PhD students . The Department of Bio- and Environmental Sciences consists of five research groups (Mycology & Enzymology, Bioinorganic Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Process Engineering, Hydrology) and has, at the moment, 24 members (4 technicians, 5 master students, 7 PhD students, 2 postdocs, 5 senior scientists, 1 professor). Moreover, more than 50 visiting scientists from 15 countries have worked over the last years at the department.
Role in the project: TUD will be mainly involved in WP3, contributing to the production of enzymes required for laboratory and pilot epoxidation as well as on the scaling-up lipid epoxidation with the selected enzymes.
Industry
Cargill, DE
Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, Cargill helps people thrive by applying its insights and 150 years of experience. Cargill has 145,000 employees in 70 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities. Customers turn to Cargill for scientific expertise when the challenge is enhancing an existing product, improving process efficiencies, or uncovering a solution that helps them launch a first-to-market innovation. In this sense, Cargill provides the people, capabilities and facilities to solve virtually any technical challenge across a range of industry segments, including: animal and fish feed; bio-industrial products and biofuels; as well as food ingredients.
Role in the project: the participating site is the Application & Development Centre located at an industrial corn processing plant in Krefeld, Germany, since 1966. The Centre is staffed by qualified experts on the industrial applications and equipped with modern laboratories. This Centre is manage by Dr. Andreas Becker who is also Cargill’s Global Lead of the Industrial (i.e. Non-Food) Centre of Expertise (CoE). This Application Centre is the most relevant Cargill R&D facility in Europe for Non-Food related projects and then it perfectly fits the scope of the SusBind project. Cargill will be in charge of the Scientific Coordination of the project. The goal is to leverage Cargill research and development capabilities to generate distinctive value through new, improved products and innovative ways to reduce costs. Additionally, Cargill will deliver the most suitable feedstock and contribute with R&D expertise in both carbohydrates and lipids chemistry.
EGGER, (AT)
EGGER is one of the main producers of wood boards in Europe. The family company EGGER, founded in 1961, employs approximately 9,000 people. In 18 plants across the world, they produce an extensive product range of wood-based materials (chipboard, OSB and MDF board) as well as timber. The company generated a turnover of EUR 2.38 billion in the 2016/2017 financial year and has worldwide customers in the furniture industry, wood and flooring retailers, as well as DIY markets. EGGER products are found in countless areas of private and public life, including kitchens, bathrooms, offices, living rooms and bedrooms. EGGER is a full-range supplier for the furniture and interior design industry, for wood construction, as well as wood-based flooring (laminate, cork and design flooring) industries.
Role in the project: With its contribution to bio-economy research, EGGER’s goal is primarily to respond to changing market requirements with new product segments based on biogenic binding agents. The international wood-based materials manufacturer considers bio-economy as a whole and evaluates the industrial usability of all raw materials needed for the production of wood-based materials and thus maintains sustainability at constant levels.
JenaBios, (DE)
Role in the project: will extend the product portfolio and provide oxidoreductases, e.g. peroxygenases and oxidases, in several purities. Together with TU Dresden, K. Scheibner first described peroxygenases and will develop during SUSBIND different production and isolation strategies. Several biotechnological application perspectives of peroxygenases were patented/described by JenaBios.JenaBios is aconsultancy specialised in Enzyme Research & Development which distributes fungal peroxidases and phenoloxidases for biotechnological applications, research and development. It was founded in 1998 by scientists who wanted to share their proven utilities and experience with the life science community. The company is located in the “High-tech valley” of the traditional university town Jena in Germany and is integrated in a network of different biotechnological and laboratory companies with several business areas and product fields. Enzymes are produced by fermentation of highly selective fungi and purchased as bulk or partly purified biocatalysts. Applications of ligninolytic enzymes and fungi are oxidative syntheses, degradability tests, modification of natural and synthetic materials, waste treatment in the textile and pulp-paper industry, coloring processes, bioremediation (e.g. of organo-arsenical warfare agents and explosives), oxidative degradation and bleaching processes and nutritional modification of animal feed.
IKEA, (SE)
Founded in Sweden in 1943, IKEA is the largest producer of wooden furniture in the world and manufactures wood-based furniture for IKEA customers. IKEA owns and operates more than 400 stores in 49 countries. IKEA produces two types of furniture: solid wood and light-weight or board based wood. Also, IKEA produces high density fibre board, particle board and lightweight board. These materials are further used in the production easy to ensemble furniture. The aim is to create products that have great customer value, in terms of quality and price. IKEA has around 19,000 co-workers working in 40 production units in 10 countries.
Role in the project:In SUSBIND, IKEA will evaluate the performance of the bio-based adhesive/resin system in furniture regarding their effects on quality, production efficiency, emission, sustainability, health & safety. In addition, IKEA is interested in new business opportunities. Particularly, regarding innovative, sustainable, fossil-free solutions regarding adhesives/binders for wood applications. Therefore, IKEA will be also involved in the techno-economical evaluation of SUSBIND results.
Valbopan, (PT)
Valbopan is a small-sized company (SME), located in the west coast of Portugal that produces MDF and develops different and innovative products out of standard commodities. In 1998 Valbopan developed a new product, called Valchromat, coloured throughout the whole mass, with high mechanical properties to be machined in its interior and new possibilities in the field of design products, also moisture resistant and fire-retardant on demand. These special products gave Valbopan the possibility of reaching different niche markets, not only in Europe but also on a small scale all around the world (USA, Brazil, South Korea). The company also produces different categories of niche products with synthetic resins (formaldehyde-based resins).
Role in the project: Nowadays the most important challenge to the R&D area is finding good alternative raw materials and natural binders to give sustainability to products and make it more environmentally friendly. To achieve this goal Valbopan needs cooperation with big industry partners working in the same field.