Biobased Resources and Energy

Which research themes are covered?

The Biobased Resources & Energy research group focuses on four themes:

• Energy: We look at developing and testing the application of fermentation and pyrolysis of agricultural waste streams. What works, what doesn’t? Important topics that are discussed here are regional presence of biomass, energy efficiency, maximum utilisation and cascading.
• Valorisation of aqueous waste streams: This concerns industrial and urban waste water. However, we prefer to talk about aqueous waste streams. An example is our research into the cultivation of duckweed on aqueous waste streams. Proteins can be extracted from duckweed for the production of animal feed. We also conduct research into the production of bioplastics (PHA) from sewage water.
• Valorisation of agricultural waste streams: In addition to mapping the quantities of the various agricultural waste streams, we also look at the possibilities for low-value applications. Think of composting or the extraction of proteins for the production of animal feed.
• LCA/LCC: we investigate the (environmental) impact of the valorisation of residual flows and how this impact relates to the (environmental) impact of mineral oil-based products.

When filling in these research themes, as a research group we not only pay attention to the technology, but we also explicitly look at the business case for new developments, legal aspects and social support. We like to do this in collaboration with other research groups within and outside the technology domain, with students and with the business community.

Want to read more about the research group? Then read more in the digital magazine that was created for the inaugural lecture by Jappe de Best:

What does the lectorate offer?

• The Biobased Resources & Energy lectorate conducts practice-oriented research for and with companies. We almost always involve students in this. If you have a practice-oriented question within one of our research themes, please contact us. We will then look together at whether and how we can address the question and what the possibilities are for obtaining a subsidy for this.
• We are always interested in enthusiastic lecturers who want to come and do research at our lectorate. We have hours available for this. If you are interested, please contact us.
• We try to involve as many students as possible in the research that the lectorate conducts. This means that we have interesting internship and graduation assignments. You can find the assignments on our website.