EUBCE 2026 - Jan-Dominik KRUEGER - BioValCat - Enhanced Biomass Valorisation by Engineering of Polyoxometalate Catalysts

BioValCat - Enhanced Biomass Valorisation by Engineering of Polyoxometalate Catalysts

Short Introductive summary

The BioValCat project aims to develop a scalable process for biomass valorization via selective oxidation to carboxylic acids. Using homogeneous catalysis with POM catalysts, employing co-solvents suppresses unwanted CO2 formation and yields nearly 100% product. The project centers on five areas: POM-solvent interactions, mechanistic insights, design of new POM catalysts for aqueous-alcoholic media, expanding biomass substrate scope, and process engineering including safety, product separation, and catalyst recovery. Biomass sources like lignocellulosic material, algae, and waste differ in properties, requiring tailored conversion strategies. Here, especially POM catalysts provide high stability, tunable acidity, and redox properties, enabling efficient, selective oxidation under mild conditions with minimal side-products. Various reactors (microreactors, jet-loop, CSTRs) are employed for process intensification and scalability. The ultimate goal is to translate these advances into industry-ready processes, supporting a circular bioeconomy, enhancing efficiency, and reducing reliance on fossil resources.

J.-D. Krueger, University of Hamburg, GERMANY
J. Albert, University of Hamburg, GERMANY
M. J. Poller, University of Hamburg, GERMANY
D. Voss, University of Hamburg, GERMANY
L. Schidowski, University of Hamburg, GERMANY
A. Pawlig, University of Hamburg, GERMANY
E. Hundt, University of Hamburg, GERMANY
I. Wirth, University of Hamburg, GERMANY
P. Saedi, University of Hamburg, GERMANY