Biorefineries
Research themes
Biomass fractionation: chemical pulping refineries and novel fractionation processes
We investigate radically new energy and resource efficient production technologiesfor chemical pulping, e.g. Kraft-Oxygen Delignification (KrOxy) process and new dissolving pulp technologies. In addition, our research group develops novel biomass fractionation processes based on the utilization of supercritical water and green solvents, e.g. gamma-valerolactone (GVL).
Biomass valorisation
Cellulose: We study conversion of cellulose e.g. into man-made cellulose fibers and all-cellulose composites.
Hemicelluloses: Our research topics include the valorisation of xylan from alkaline extractions, production of xylo-oligosaccharides and catalytic conversion of biomass-derived sugars into furans.
Lignin: Lignin is an interesting biomass component which can be converted into valuable products such as bio-oil. Lignin-cellulose blends can be used e.g. as precursor fibers for carbon fibers, or as natural dye in textiles.
ALL-CELL: From ultra-light to ultra-strong all-cellulose composites via green processing
Finland Distinguished Professor grant awarded to Prof. Tatiana Budtova (Center for Materials Forming of MINES ParisTech, France). The goal of the 4-year project (started 2016) is to imagine, prepare and characterize new fully bio-based materials, all-cellulose composites.
Examples of ongoing research projects
- Trash-2-Cash (EU Horizon 2020)
- SolvRec (Business Finland)
- iCom (Business Finland)
- ALL-CELL (FiDiPro, Prof. Tatiana Budtova)
- WoCaFi (ERC starting grant, Dr. Michael Hummel)
- Tekide (ERDF)
Ioncell
Ioncell-F is a technology that turns used textiles, pulp or even old newspapers into new textile fibers sustainably and without harmful chemicals. The process converts cellulose into fibers which in turn can be made into long-lasting fabrics.
Read more about the Ioncell process and our projects at ioncell.fi!
Awards
The Ioncell-F process was granted the Global Change Award 2016 by the H&M Conscious Foundation, the Paper Recycling Award 2015 of the European Recovered Paper Council (ERPC), and the DIA Innovation Award 2018.
γ-valerolactone biorefinery
γ-valerolactone pulping is a novel organic solvent fractionation process developed by Professor Herbert Sixta’s Biorefineries research group.
Latest publications
Plasmonic cellulose textile fiber from waste paper for BPA sensing by SERS
Influence of reaction conditions on solvolysis of organosolv lignin using water and green organic co-solvents as reaction medium
Production of reactive lignin mix through catalytic solvolysis of organosolv lignin
Field-Flow Fractionation of Cationic Cellulose Derivatives
Catalytic efficiency and stability of tertiary amines in oxidation of methyl 4-deoxy-β-L-threo-hex-4-enopyranosiduronic acid by hypochlorous acid
Upcycling of cotton polyester blended textile waste to new man-made cellulose fibers
Gelation of cellulose-NaOH solutions in the presence of cellulose fibers
Physical Properties of 7-Methyl-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (mTBD)
How properties of cellulose acetate films are affected by conditions of iodine-catalyzed acetylation and type of pulp
Research group members
