ENTEG researchers contribute to national circular bio-based materials initiative

A new national consortium, ABEL (Ab-initio Biowaste Loop), has been awarded a €6.7 million grant through the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA-ORC 2024) to develop innovative technologies for converting low-grade organic waste into durable, recyclable materials. The project is led by TU Delft and brings together researchers, industry partners, policymakers, and societal stakeholders across the Netherlands.

The Engineering and Technology institute Groningen (ENTEG), of the Faculty of science and engineering of the University of Groningen, will play a key role in this effort, receiving €600,000 in funding to support a PhD candidate and a postdoctoral researcher. The RUG team, lead by Prof Anastasiia Krushynska and with contributions from profs. Peter Deuss, Patrizio Raffa, and Ihsan Bal, will lead Work Package 6 and focus on the catalytic production of bio-based polymers. They will develop the catalytic production process of bio-based polymers and optimize their chemical structure to obtain target mechanical and thermal properties. They will also focus on developing advanced materials made of these bio-based polymers to achieve desirable acoustic, mechanical, and vibration-resistant properties for final construction products.

This contribution aligns with the broader ABEL objective to reduce dependence on fossil resources, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and enable a truly circular bioeconomy.

• For more information on the ABEL project: TU Delft press release
• NWO: NWO funding announcement