Process development, scale-up and custom manufacturing
What’s happening? How does it happen?
The Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is working on the field of innovation and research in the reconversion of biomass to biochemicals, biomaterials, biofuels and other bioproducts. The main goal is to speed up the bio-based innovation. Most importantly this organization is also providing service to other companies for process development, scale-up and custom manufacturing; the projects developed are mostly following two main way: they can be bilateral projects, in which the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is following a specific private company; or Consortium based project, in which a series of different actor gather together in order to work on research and innovation.
What’s happening? How does it happen?
The Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is working on the field of innovation and research in the reconversion of biomass to biochemicals, biomaterials, biofuels and other bioproducts. The main goal is to speed up the bio-based innovation. Most importantly this organization is also providing service to other companies for process development, scale-up and custom manufacturing; the projects developed are mostly following two main way: they can be bilateral projects, in which the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is following a specific private company; or Consortium based project, in which a series of different actor gather together in order to work on research and innovation.
Why is this an interesting circular initiative for ports?
Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is a state-of-the-art facility that operates from a laboratory level to a multi-ton scale. The main goal is to speed up the biobased innovation. They provide services for process development, scale-up and custom manufacturing of bio-based products and processes. The Bio Base Pilot Plant enables the reconversion of biomass into biochemicals, biomaterials, biofuels and other bioproducts. A strong aspect of the Bio Base plant is that the entire production chain is in one single plant. They combine technologies utilizing a wide spectrum of modular unit operations, making it possible to work from small to big scale processes. The team consists of engineers, operators and technicians.
What is the relation with the port and water?
The relationship with the port is not that linear and evident, but the practice carried out from Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant has a strong potential to be in relation with many activities taking place within the port, since the biobased economy places an important role in the Ghent harbour.
What is the relation with the city?
The university of Ghent is known as a well advanced biotechnology researcher. However, no direct link with the Base Pilot Plant is found.
What are the ambitions?
The gained experience over the years makes it possible to translate lab processes and ideas into viable industrial processes.
Who is behind it?
Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is an independent facility, they have no industrial shareholders and work in full confidentiality. They have private, bilateral projects but also many consortium-based projects.
