Leibniz University

Green solvents for sustainable bioprocesses

The European Commission has approved research into the development of innovative, bio-based products as part of the DECADES project, led by Leibniz University.

Stone block with the inscription "GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNIZ UNIVERSITY" — Leibniz University

The chemical industry is currently facing the challenge of transitioning from traditional petroleum-based chemical manufacturing processes to sustainable, bio-based products in line with a circular bioeconomy. Solvents, in particular, play a crucial role in the chemical industry throughout the entire production chain. They are needed to dissolve raw materials at the beginning of the manufacturing process, but also for isolating and conditioning products at the end. This creates an urgent need for novel solvents that can significantly improve synthesis processes while also being environmentally friendly and cost-effective for the industrial bioeconomy.

DECADES Collaboration Project

This is where the DECADES collaboration project, led by Leibniz University Hannover (LUH), comes in. Six universities from Germany, Austria, Spain, and the Netherlands, along with ten industry partners from various countries, have joined forces to develop sustainable solvents for the European biotech sector and thereby contribute to achieving the goals of the European Commission’s European Green Deal program. The project is funded with 2.6 million euros by the European Commission as part of the HORIZON Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN).

Take advantage of the benefits of green solvents

“We will leverage the benefits of green solvents in two ways: First, by transferring knowledge from current basic research to industrial applications, and second, by holistically optimizing solvents—from their production and application to their environmental impact throughout the entire process,” explains Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Selin Kara, Head of the Institute of Technical Chemistry at LUH and coordinator of DECADES.

Safe and Sustainable by Design

The research project aims to increase the efficiency and sustainability of industrial biocatalysis through the use of so-called "safe and sustainable-by-design" solvents. An interdisciplinary approach will ensure that all key aspects are considered holistically. These include the biogenic origin of raw materials, the use of efficient (bio)catalysts with reduced environmental impact, environmentally friendly process conditions, and tailor-made sustainable solvents. In addition, the DECADES project aims to address training gaps and mitigate the growing shortage of skilled workers by bringing together leading European academic and industrial partners in education—recognizing that education at all levels is a crucial key to achieving sustainability goals. To enable this growth in the fields of environmentally friendly technologies, renewable energy, and the bioeconomy, efficient knowledge transfer into marketable products and well-trained doctoral students must be ensured.