Innovations



Project SynBioTech (completed)

Synergistic development of biotechnological and chemical processes to add value to decentralized C1 material streams
Synbiotech.jpg

© TU Darmstadt

Within the SynBioTech joint project as part of the BioBall Innovation Space, biogenic CO2 is hydrogenated to methanol via a chemical process step. Then, methanol is converted biotechnologically into biomass protein for the animal feed industry or acid derivatives for the chemical market. Methylobacterium, which can use methanol as an energy and carbon source, is used for this purpose.

  • The TU Darmstadt coordinates the network, builds a laboratory plant for methanol synthesis, and produces methanol for further use by the partners as well as evaluates various process concepts.
  • lnfraserv Höchst contributes their experiences from an industry perspective into the planning of the methanol synthesis plant. They also advise on potential CO2 sources and support absorption trials at their own biogas plant.
  • The DECHEMA -Forschungsinstitut develops and optimizes processes for the synthesis of various products from methanol.
  • The University Marburg researches new genetic methods to construct stable production strains of Methylobacterium.
  • The MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology identifies alternative metabolic pathways for the synthesis of (branched) acid derivatives, generates the corresponding production strains of Methylobacterium and tests them under realistic production conditions.
  • Wacker Chemie AG develops processes for the recovery of carboxylic acids from the culture broth and conducts studies on the reduction of dicarboxylic acids as well as polymerization tests.
  • The Provadis Hochschule quantitatively analyzes the SynBioTech project regarding the respective material and energy flows and prepares a comparative life cycle analysis and techno-economic analysis to evaluate the environmental implications of the project.

Support:


The project is supported by the BMBF funding measure "Innovation Spaces Bioeconomy" within the framework of the "National Research Strategy Bioeconomy 2030".

Office:

Provadis Hochschule

Provadis Hochschule is the university of the industry and offers dual and part-time science and business degree programs for more than 1,200 students throughout Germany.

DECHEMA e.V.

DECHEMA e.V. is the competent network for chemical engineering and biotechnology in Germany. As a non-profit professional society, it represents these fields in science, industry, politics and society.