Sulzer Chemtech has been appointed by Avantium, a front runner in renewable chemistry, to support the IMPRESS project by providing bespoke crystallization and distillation equipment. The solutions will enable the creation of a demonstration plant in Delfzijl, Netherlands, showcasing the feasibility of IMPRESS’ processes to create highly effective fully-integrated second-generation biorefinery complexes.

The facilities will feature upstream, midstream and downstream processes to convert plant-based materials into chemical building blocks, such as monoethylene (plantMEG™) and monopropylene glycol (plant MPG), lignin nanospheres, xylitol and isosorbide. In turn, these are used to create a wide range of materials, including bioplastics. Therefore, the manufacturing complex being created is believed to mark the future of biorefining, offering more than just bioethanol as an end product.

Sulzer Chemtech’s separation units will play a key role in the purification of all IMPRESS’ end materials. The company has been selected on the basis of its extensive experience in developing cutting-edge solutions for the renewable sector. For the IMPRESS project to succeed, it is essential to develop highly efficient processes as well as large-scale plants that are economically feasible. Sulzer Chemtech’s comprehensive capabilities in conducting laboratory- and pilot-scale tests and its vast experience in scaling up complex processes have been crucial. These skills are fundamental to create customized application-based solutions that maintain a low environmental footprint and help to drive the adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices across the industry.