Partners

As an essential part of Evonik, the business line Performance Intermediates is a major producer of C4-based materials for the rubber, plastics and specialty chemicals markets. The products are used in high-quality plastics and coatings, for example, in the areas of automotive, home, and leisure. Other applications include lubricants, gasoline additives, cosmetics and solvents in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

The business line Process Technology & Engineering has long-term experience in process intensification development of innovative, integrated reactor and downstream processes including membrane technology as well as modular plant design. It was leading the development within the ROMEO project for the hydroformylation case and provides know-how and support in the construction and implementation of mini and demo/pilot plants.

Evonik Operations GmbH is a well experienced and reliable partner for research projects funded under the framework programs of the German ministries and the European Commission. In the last years the company was involved in 19 EU projects, as consortium member as well as a coordinator.

The Centre for Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry (CSC) at Department of Chemistry of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is focused on research aiming toward development and use of catalytic materials in environmental and sustainable chemical technologies, and is at the front of catalysis research in Denmark and internationally renowned for development of technologies for sustainable production of chemicals with ionic liquid catalysts. Currently, the center comprises 5 faculty professors along with a total of 20 PhD students and more senior scientists, thereby providing a dynamic research and educational environment. The expertise provided by the researchers in CSC is very multidisciplinary qua their diverse backgrounds as inorganic and organic chemists as well as chemical engineers making it a leading group for the development of immobilized catalysts and hybrid materials, like SLP and SILP materials, with a long research history regarding molecular understanding and improved design. The center has an excellent track record for patenting and facilitating technology transfer to industry including several spin-off companies.

LiqTech (LIQ) membranes are highly durable highflux micro- and ultrafiltration membranes that are suitable for treatment of even most challenging industrial waters and wastewaters. Due to its commercial and research activities (project partner in 4 European research projects), LiqTech has extensive experience in processing ceramic material, the manufacturing of flat-sheet and tubular membranes and the development of membrane-based processes in a wide range of applications. Besides being an expert in the new challenging technological field of using SiC membranes for water filtration and treatment, LiqTech´s know-how additionally enables tailor-made solutions for the development and operation of membrane plants, such as reactors used in project Romeo.

The Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is among the Top 5 universities in Germany for Chemistry; Chemical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering ranks number one in Germany with respect to its scientific output. The Department of Chemical and Bioengineering (CBI) comprises 11 full professors and about 650 students with research topics ranging from synthetic aspects to characterization and from application and process studies to multi-scale modelling. The chair of Chemical Reaction Engineering (CRT), hosting the Haumann group, is one of the leading institutions in Germany in the field of catalysis and energy sciences. Its third-party funding in 2016 exceeded 5 Mio. €. Long-term collaborations exist with companies like e.g. Clariant, Evonik, Siemens, Procter & Gamble, Lonza and DSM. The Haumann group itself is one of the leading groups in catalysis using novel hybrid materials like SILP, SCILL or SCALMS in continuous processes.

The University of Brescia comprises eight departments offering quality programs and competitive research in areas related to Engineering, Health, Law, and Economics. With its 550 permanent academic staff, offers 24 undergraduate Degree programs, 17 postgraduate and 7 Doctoral Degree programs. In 2016, about 14300 students were enrolled. At present, Università degli Studi di Brescia counts more than 160 active financed research projects, 40 international projects where 25 projects funded within the 7th Framework Programme and 120 nationally funded projects. The University participated in various programs such as FP5, FP6, FP7, COST actions, LIFE+, South East Europe Program, Erasmus Mundus, ACP Water Facility, Civil Justice and is currently participating in 13 projects within Horizon 2020. The support to the MACBETH project will be granted mainly by the Energy Technology Group (ERGO), in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. ERGO’s main research activities focuses on the study, analysis, and design of components involved in all the aspects of energy conversion and advanced power generation technology, with a particular focus to power plant operating with non-conventional working fluids (ORCs, closed gas cycles, Stirling engines) and to hydrogen production (membrane reactor) and utilisation systems (fuel cells).

Moreover, a key competence of CNH2 lies in process testing, characterization, standardization, certification or validation of technological developments achieved by the productive sector to improve the competitiveness of enterprises and to promote the implementation of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. With 13 laboratories and 3 auxiliary facilities; CNH2’s laboratories are focused in all areas related to H2 and fuel cells: Electrolysis, H2 storage, PEM and SOFC, Power Electrics, Micro-grids, Simulation, Materials Characterization, FABLAB, Testing, Vehicles and a Hydrogen Refilling Station (350 bar). The CNH2 has also support facilities such as a Prototype Fabrication Facility, an Energy Efficient Building Demonstrator, an EV Charging point for small vehicles and a Solar photovoltaic plant (100kW) enabling the development and scale up of processes as well as the testing and validating of prototypes and equipment.

The Hereon’s scientific spectrum encompasses high-performance materials, processes and environmentally friendly technologies for industry, mobility and new energy systems. Furthermore, research is conducted on biomaterials in medicine and for increasing quality of life. Through research and consulting, the Hereon addresses the challenges of climate change in a solution-oriented manner and facilitates sustainable management as well as the protection of the coasts and marine environment through comprehensive scientific understanding. From fundamental understanding to practical applications – the interdisciplinary research spectrum covers a unique range.

Our education, research and knowledge valorization contribute to:

• science for society: solving the major societal issues and boosting prosperity and welfare by focusing on the Strategic Areas of Energy, Health and Smart Mobility
• science for industry: the development of technological innovation in cooperation with industry
• science for science: progress in engineering sciences through excellence in key research cores and innovation in education

The research group Inorganic Membranes and Membrane Reactors – Sustainable Process Engineering, is part of the faculty of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). The main objective of the research group is the development of novel integrated reactor concepts (such as Membrane Reactors) based on improved fundamental knowledge using validated advanced (multi-phase) reactor models. This is achieved by employing a combination of state-of-the-art numerical models (at different levels of detail using the multi-level modelling approach), advanced (non-invasive) experimental techniques and experimental demonstration of novel reactor concepts (proof of concept).

The whole team at TECNALIA has one GOAL: to transform knowledge into GDP, meaning wealth to improve people’s quality of life by generating business opportunities for industry. TECNALIA is committed to generate major impacts in economic terms, by means of innovation and technological development, addressed by 6 business divisions, covering economic sectors of Industry and Transport, Information and Communication Technologies, Building, Energy and Environment, Innovation Systems and Health and Quality of Life. Furthermore, TECNALIA created TECNALIA VENTURES in 2012 an independent TTO (Technology Transfer office) designed for exploitation and transfer of research results. TECNALIA has created 30 spin-off companies of different levels of maturity and development (until the end of 2013) and has managed for a group of sponsors a Venture-Capital fund. TECNALIA has been granted over 250 patents and promoted more than 30 spin-off companies. TECNALIA is a key agent in the ERA - European Research Area, holding position 12th among RECs and 26th overall in EC’s 6th FP7 Monitoring Report 2012. He has participated in 377 FP7 projects, coordinating 81 of them. By February 2018, TECNALIA participates in 163 H2020 projects coordinating 33 of them. TECNALIA actively participates in the governing bodies of several European Technology Platforms being member in other associations. For instance, TECNALIA participates in the High Level Management Group of the European Technological Platform for Researching in Manufacturing (ManuFuture), coordinating the multi-annual work plan for the "Factories of the Future" JTI/PPP; and is represented in the executive board of the European Technological Platform for Researching in Robotics (EUROP), in the board of the European Robotics Research Network (EURON), in the Advanced Research & Technology for Embedded Systems (ARTEMIS) and in the steering committee of the: European Technological Platform for materials (EUMAT) and takes part actively in the European Association of Automotive Centers (EARPA), Intelligent Transport Systems Platform (ERTICO) and European Association for Sustainable Process Industry through Resource Energy Efficiency (A. SPIRE AISBL) and FCH JU Research Grouping (N.ERGHY). TECNALIA is also full member of the Energy Research Alliance being involved in the EERA-CCS, EERA AMPEA and coordinator of the EERA Joint Program e3s “Economic, Environmental and Social Impacts of Energy Policies and Technologies”: TECNALIA is also member of EARTO and of EUROTECH, linking together the most important research centers in Europe.
Other platforms and associations are (partial list):

• Water supply and sanitation technology platform (WSSTP).
• European Steel Technology Platform (ESTEP)
• European Rapid Manufacturing Platform (RM)
• Biobased and Renewable Industries for Development and Growth in Europe (BRIDGE)
• JTI Hydrogen and Fuel Cell (HFC)
• ETP on Industrial Safety (ETPIS)
• Plataforma Tecnológica de Fabricación Avanzada
• Plataforma Española de Materiales Avanzados y Nanomateriales

Since then, thanks to cooperation with eminent universities and research centers, ICI Caldaie increased his know-how in high temperature and pressure steam generator systems and applied it in chemical reactor development. Along the years ICI gained experience and expertise in membrane chemical reactor manufacturing, and integration of the same in complex system, such as CHP systems. The long experience has allowed ICI CALDAIE to create highly qualified services that can meet any need related to the management, monitoring and maintenance of provided energy systems. In close collaboration with the customer, tailor-made solutions will be identified and implemented by ICI CALDAIE suitable for safety, savings and environment protection.

The number of students enrolled in all campuses is approximately 40,000, which makes the Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) the largest Engineering School in Italy. The research activity pursued at the Department of Energy spans a wide range of thermo-fluid-dynamic and chemical processes required to convert primary energy sources (including fossil, renewable and wastes) into useful forms of energy (electricity, heat, synthetic fuels) in stationary and mobile plants. The support for the MACBETH project will be granted mainly by the Group of Energy Conversion Systems (GECOS).

The main subjects investigated by the GECOS Group are related to advanced power generation technologies, either by using clean fuels or by applying advanced clean technologies to dirty fuels, with a particular focus to carbon capture techniques, integrated in plants for the production of power and/or hydrogen.

With operating 12 factories worldwide and ca. 1,200 employees, Rauschert Kloster Veilsdorf GmbH (RKV) is one of the top ten manufacturers in the technical ceramics industry worldwide, focussing on innovative products in niche markets. With a unique set of technical capabilities, Rauschert can offer tailor made solutions for customers’ problems. As a global network of professionals, we are ambitious to build a world-class organisation. Rauschert Kloster Veilsdorf GmbH (RKV) as part of the Rauschert Group is specialised in the fabrication of technical ceramics. Some of the major products are ceramic membranes, including (or excluding) housings, which are sold under the brand name inopor®, others are ceramic components for machinery. The internal tool shop department is more and more focused in development, design and building of prototypes of machines and components.

In terms of fundraising, CSIC is ranked the 1st organisation in Spain and the 5th in Europe, with a total FP7 contribution of over 260 million euros. The Institute of Catalysis and Petroleum Chemistry (ICP) belongs to the Chemical Sciences and Technology Division of CSIC and is part of the International Excellence Campus together with the Universidad Autónoma of Madrid (UAM). ICP develops new technological solutions within the field of catalysis, both inorganic and enzymatic, covering the areas of energy, environmental protection, and chemical synthesis. Its capabilities embrace the design of novel catalytic materials, the development of new catalytic processes and technologies, methodologies for process control and advanced characterization techniques. The Spectroscopy and Industrial Catalysis (SpeICat) group, co-led by Prof. Avila and Prof. Bañares, belongs to the Catalytic Process Engineering department and to the Structure and Rectivity department of the ICP. Its principal research lines are the rational design and synthesis of structured porous adsorbents and catalysts for prevention of atmospheric pollution and processes optimization, supported by the operando spectroscopic characterization methodology.

Among other research lines, SpeICat group of CSIC has developed many honeycomb shaped catalysts and adsorbents aimed at the reduction of atmospheric contaminants, some of them patented and implemented at industrial scale in nitric acid plants (DeNOx-SCR), power plants (DeNOx-DeSOx), adhesive plants (Ads/Des-Oxidation of VOCs) or high-temperature ceramic ovens (elimination of acid gases HF, HCl, etc.). The development of this type of solids constitutes one of the most important improvements within the catalytic field in the recent decades, and this group is one of few European public research laboratories with this technology.

Willing to take a lead within the Energy Transition in Europe, ENGIE is highly involved in the development of sustainable and renewable energies from their production to their uses in cities and territories. In this context, ENGIE consider hydrogen as a promising energy carrier comprising a huge flexibility to energy system in order to optimize renewables integration and to support the development of efficient and green energy uses at centralized or decentralized level. Within the ENGIE company, the ENGIE Lab CRIGEN, a corporate R&D center of ENGIE dedicated to new gases and energies, conducts operational R&D projects and develops pilots for the Business Units and corporate entities of ENGIE as well as external customers, in an effort to master tomorrow’s technologies, bring them to maturity, and prepare the Energy Transition. ENGIE Lab CRIGEN creates value through innovative low-carbon solutions for ENGIE’s customers and innovative solutions to improve operational excellence of industrial assets based on three different pillars:

• New gases (biogas, biomethane, hydrogen, Power to gas and Power to Liquid, LNG and retail LNG) 
• New uses of energy (energy storage, future building and cities, future industry, green mobility, societal and environmental impacts) 
• Digital and Enabling Technologies (Drones and robot, artificial intelligence and computer science, nanotechnologies and sensors 

Regarding hydrogen ENGIE Lab CRIGEN is involved from more than 15 years in the whole value chain, on technological R&D and expertise (production, transport, distribution and uses), process modelling and simulation, tools development implemented in pilots and demonstrators. 

KT is a highly specialized EPC Contractor in the refining industry and an international leader in plant engineering, primarily in the hydrocarbon sector (petrochemical, fertilizers, oil & gas refining). KT's strong technological background and focus on Process Design capabilities enhance its offering of traditional Licensing Business Lines, Sulphur Recovery, and Hydrogen and Syngas Production.

The University of Salerno based its activity on research and educational programmes, developing links with the surrounding area while respecting the environment, with the aim of creating, enriching and, at the same time, offering a scientific, cultural heritage to students, enterprises, institutions and in general to the whole community. In keeping ith this mission and core values, which are a constant reference point, the institutional goals are:

• Research
• Teaching and Education
• Support for outstanding students and the diversely able
• Development of the Campus as a community of individuals who share the same interests and values
• Development of links with key players in the local area

The PROCEED research group, operating in the Department of Industrial Engineering of UNISA, has a large experience in the preparation, characterization and testing of supported or in bulk oxide-based catalysts either in powder or structured in form of honeycomb monoliths or ceramic cells foams. The ProCEED guideline is to merge the competence of different topics of Catalysis and Chemical Engineering aimed to the optimization of the process in the Chemical Industry, thus enhancing the concept of the “Process Intensification”. The recognized ability of the ProCEED in the catalyst’s formulation, synthesis (from lab-scale up to pilot-scale), characterization and testing make the workgroup a reference entity in the field of heterogeneous catalysis and innovative processes. In particular, UNISA designed, developed and hosts in its laboratories, a pilot scale plant for the catalytic propane dehydrogenation assisted by membrane.

Role: UNISA will offers its contribution in the identification and optimization of catalysts and engineering for the propane dehydrogenation process. In particular, UNISA will lead the sub-Task 2.2 (Catalytic System). Furthermore, will support the macro-scale modelling and the processes scale-up phases for the PDH line

PNO has broad experience and hands-on expertise with more than 500 funding programmes in most EU countries, annually raising approximately 1 billion euro for its clients – 25% of which is coming from EU grants. Created in 1985, PNO is a high-growth knowledge intensive company due to a unique combination of services, based on profound insight in research, innovation and funding strategies, up-to-date knowledge and 30 years of hands-on expertise with real-life European innovation projects and more than 500 funding programs in most EU countries. The group has the proven capability to link innovation suppliers and adopters from a unique Europe-wide client network in multiple sectors, using advanced methodologies, ICT solutions and proprietary on-line networking. PNO has its own community building, management and dissemination tools, the core one being Innovation Place© (www.innovationplace.eu). With Innovation Place©, PNO offers its clients an innovative service concept, up-to-date web-based tool, knowledge base and European wide communities to manage their own innovation, projects, funding knowledge and networks, combined with the best consultancy support.

Ciaotech, the Italian branch of the PNO Group, is specialised in Innovation management and funding, providing support services to private and public organizations in Innovation processes, Technology Transfer, IT solutions and funding for research, development and innovation. The latter include: i) Stakeholders mapping and analysis (including questionnaires); ii) Business planning and market scenarios analysis; iii) Technology intelligence; iv) Exploitation plans and activities; v) Industrial dissemination.

The focus of the independent SME Enzymicals AG (ENZY) is the development and production of enzymes, the chemo-biocatalytic synthesis of fine and specialty chemicals as well as the development, scale up and piloting of robust chemo-biocatalytic processes. These core areas are combined to realize tailor-made solutions for custom development and manufacturing. Enzymicals has a technology platform which covers the identification of suitable catalysts from strain or enzyme collections, databases ormetagenome libraries as well as their functional expression in a range of microbial host systems. Additionally, Enzymicals has in-house capability for tailor-made protein expression and optimization services. With these facilities almost any biocatalyst of interest can be supplied in analytical and commercial scale. Enzymicals has experience in working with innovative biocatalysts from the class of e.g. transaminases, monooxygenases, halohydrin dehalogenases, imine reductases and hydrolases at desired quality grades to solve customer specific demands at best performance.

Dedicated to design, develop and implement innovative cost-effective and scalable chemo-biocatalytic routes to fine chemicals & APIs, Enzymicals offers recognized expertise in the use of enzymatic processes for complex chemical synthesis.

Also, immobilization techniques are developed for enzymes to facilitate their separation and recycling. Immobilization of enzyme makes various processes economically viable by enabling recycling of the enzyme. Additionally, due to immobilization of enzymes more extreme process conditions can be used which increases the technical feasibility of enzymatic processes. The biocatalytic research performed at ChiralVision (CHIVI) focuses on the application of enzymes in selective chemical transformations.
This comprises four major topics: 1) Enzymatic process development, 2) Enzyme immobilization 3) enzyme polymer carrier synthesis and 4) compounds made with enzymes.

Founded in 1991 VITO is a public limited company and part of the policy domain of the Department of Economy, science & Innovation (EWI) of the Flemish government. VITO is active in 40 countries and has around 909 employees with 39 different nationalities. In order to remain competitive, the entire chemical sector must make the transition towards renewable raw materials and focus on achieving a higher level of efficiency and reuse. Therefore, Vito's chemistry group approach will follow two paths: create new value chains based on renewable raw materials, such as biomass and CO2 and focusing on sustainable chemical processes.

Johnson Matthey's (JM) principal activities are the manufacture of autocatalysts, heavy duty diesel catalysts and pollution control systems, catalysts and components for fuel cells, catalysts and technologies for chemical processes, fine chemicals, chemical catalysts and active pharmaceutical ingredients and the marketing, refining, and fabrication of precious metals. Johnson Matthey’s closely collaborates with the Technology Centre in Reading, UK. This central facility acts as a focal point for the development of new technologies into emerging market applications. At this site, there are established facilities for the preparation, characterization and testing of catalysts, as well as access to state-of-the art analytical and electron optic equipment. 

It was founded in 2004 and soon it became one of the world leaders in the supercritical CO2 green extraction technology. Using its technological platform and bio economy-based model, SOLUTEX (SOLU) manufactures unique specialties originating from natural, raw and renewable materials. Out of these specialties, the company has developed a broad range of products of high growth potential and added value in the biolipid segment (the ω-3 concentrates EPA and DHA). These ingredients are obtained through extraction technology and supercritical chromatography which allows the company to concentrate, fractionate and purify in an extremely effective way. Extracts are supplied by SOLUTEX as active ingredients to the pharmaceutical industry and as functional ingredients to the nutritional and cosmetic industries, depending on their concentration and purity.

Significant and now world-leading knowledge and experience have been accumulated by SOLUTEX in the use of supercritical fluid extraction and purification using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2). This allows SOLUTEX to work with relatively unstable as well as biodegradable compounds, while minimising the formation of chemical residues and promoting a reduction in the use of non-renewable resources (eco-innovation), following the circular economy concept.

The well experienced team of chemists and engineers provides chemical and process development, engineering services, manufacturing equipment and turnkey plants in dimensions from laboratory to pilot plant and tons-per-hour bulk production scale. Additionally, Microinnova (MICRO) focuses on continuous flow processing, process intensification and modular manufacturing plants whereby detailed knowledge of chemical reaction processes with comprehensive know-how and practical experience in chemical engineering and plant construction are combined. Microinnova´s modular systems provide sustained competitive advantage for customers like an efficient, safe, lean and flexible production, thus ensuring long-term positive results.

A majority stake (79.98 %) in shipping company DİTAŞ and 40% share ownership of petrol retailer Opet, creates synergies and adds value to the operations. Tüpraş (TUPRAS) is the 7th biggest refining company in Europe with the high Nelson complexity index of 9.5.

Tüpraş R&D Center established in 2010 is a certified R&D center by Turkish Law “Supporting Research and Development Activities”. It is evaluated and monitored by Turkish Ministry of Industry. All R&D activities in four refineries are coordinated by R&D center in Kocaeli. Tüpraş R&D campus possesses five high-tech laboratories dedicated to R&D studies and R&D projects with the objective of enhancing the characteristics of oil products developing alternative fuels and fuel production technologies.

H2SITE Provides Palladium Alloy Membrane Technology for the efficient separation of high-purity hydrogen, which are units manufactured by us in a plant, unique in the world, located in Bilbao. These membranes are highly selective towards hydrogen, effectively creating a barrier that prevents the passage of any other components. As a result, they can be utilized with remarkable efficiency to separate hydrogen from various streams, including ammonia and methanol.

With recent advancements in membrane- and membrane reactor technology, this market is expected to grow significantly in sectors such as energy, food & beverages, water- & wastewater treatment and the chemical industry. This rapid growth comes with a major demand in expertise and knowhow. What is the impact of this technology? Typical problems requiring expertise are: process bottlenecks, high CAPEX/OPEX, high emission rate, low energy efficiency, low process yield, limited scaling potential. Modelta aims to address this growing demand in expertise through modelling services and consultancy obtained through 10+ years of research within TU/e and POLIMI. Modelta’s main services are:

• Membrane- & Membrane Reactor Modelling;

• Process Design & Upscaling;

• Customized Models Development;

• Consultancy on Membrane Processes;