BioBTX B.V., a sustainable technology development company, today announced the official opening of the pilot plant for the production of sustainable platform chemicals in Groningen, the Netherlands.
BioBTX is developing a technology to convert non-food biomass and end-of-life feedstock materials into cornerstone aromatic chemicals, with a focus on Benzene, Toluene and Xylenes (“BTX”), which drop-in chemical intermediates are widely used for the production of plastics. By using renewable carbon sources, a significant contribution to the circular economy will be made, reducing the use of fossil feedstocks and lowering emission of greenhouse gases.
This pilot plant will initially convert non-food liquid biomass, like glycerol and fatty acids. In a second stage, the unit will be made suited to process solid biomass and end-of-life materials, like plastics and composites as well.
The pilot plant is located at Zernike Advance Processing (“ZAP”) site in Groningen the Netherlands, a semi-industrial environment with a focus on bio-based products, where knowledge institutions and businesses can take the important step from lab bench to medium scale production in green chemistry and biotechnology.
Earlier this year, the offices of BioBTX have moved to this site, thus facilitating optimal communication and operation.
