Biotechnology
sustainable chemistry

RESEARCH AREAS
Biotechnology and Sustainable Chemistry
Description
The Biotechnology and Sustainable Chemistry Area (BQS) combines in an integrated way various areas of knowledge and tools based on biotechnology and green chemistry for the improvement and sustainability of industrial processes, environment and quality of life.
It is a transversal and multi-sectorial area, with a clear vocation for research and implementation of applied solutions, both to the industrial sector (food, chemical, materials) and to the protection and improvement of the environment, carried out from the point of view of the development of products and processes more efficient, sustainable and integrated in the life cycle.
Research lines
- Research in processes with chemical-catalytic reaction processes, heterogeneous catalysts and (bio)adsorbent materials.
- Research in thermochemical processes and intensification of pressure processes for the transformation of plastics, biomasses and recalcitrant waste into value-added products.
- Development of biobased materials with applications in polymers, adhesives and coatings with special properties.
- Development of advance fermentation process (with sustrate in liquid phase and/or gas).
- Application of advanced chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis processes for waste and lignocellulosic biomass treatment.
- Development of new applications and microbiological tools.
- Extraction and purification of active ingredients and proteins by biocatalysis and/or GRAS solvents.
Publications
- Hidalgo, D., Corona, F., Martín-Marroquín, J.M., Piñero, R., Antolín, G., Decentralized biomethane production using a combination of chemical scrubbing and low-pressure membrane technologies. Conference Progress in Biogas IV (2017).
- Hidalgo, D., Piñero, R., Martín-Marroquín, J.M., Corona, F., Acebes, P., Antolín, G. From biogas to biomethane: integrated process for the production of natural gas substitute. ATHENS 2017: 5th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management (2017).
- Sanz-Martín JM, Pacheco-Arjona JR, Bello-Rico V, Vargas WA, Monod M, Díaz-Mínguez JM, Thon MR, Sukno SA. (2016). A highly conserved metalloprotease effector enhances virulence in the maize anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum graminicola. Molecular Plant Pathology. doi: 10.1111/mpp.12347.
- Vargas WA, Sanz-Martín JM, Rech GE, Armijos-Jaramillo VD, Rivera LP, Echeverria MM, Díaz-Mínguez JM, Thon MR, Sukno SA. (2016). A fungal effector with host nuclear localization and DNA-binding properties is required for maize anthracnose development. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 29: 83–95.
- Conesa J. A., Urueña Juan A. Díez D., (2014). Corn stover thermal decomposition in pyrolytic andoxidant atmosphere. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 106 132–137.
- Piñero-Hernanz, R., García-Serna J., Dodds C., Hyde J.R., Poliakoff M., Cocero M.J., Kingman S., Pickering S., Lester E., (2008) Chemical recycling of carbon fibre composites using alcohols under subcritical and supercritical conditions. Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 46, 83-92.
- Piñero-Hernanz, R., García-Serna J., Cocero M.J., (2006). Nonstationary model of the semicontinuous depolymerization of polycarbonate. AIChe Journal, vol 52, 12, 4186-4199.
- Piñero-Hernanz, R., García-Serna J., Cocero M.J., (2005). Chemical recycling of polycarbonate in a semi-continuous lab-plant. A green route with methanol and methanol-water mixture. Green Chemistry, 7, 380-387
Reference clients:
Team

Alberto Moral Quiza
Head of Agrifood & Processes Division

Raúl Piñero Hernanz
Head of Biotechnology Area
Related projects:
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Increase the extractability of protein sources and other compounds of nutritional interest, naturally present in by-products generated in the transformation processes of the food industry, through the use of “green technologies” of pre-treatment such as extrusion
High-pressure processes for the generation of high value-added products
Increase the extractability of protein sources and other compounds of nutritional interest, naturally present in by-products generated in the transformation processes of the food industry, through the use of “green technologies” of pre-treatment such as extrusion
CO2SMOS
CO2SMOS project propose an innovative solution to develop new technologies based on processes for the conversion of biogenic CO2 and renewable raw materials into high value-added (bio)chemical products for chemistry sector and bio-based industries.
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H2METAMO
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WoodLi
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VALOMASK
VALOMASK project aims at the design and development of sustainable management of single use face masks in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak. The initiative arise due to the exponential increase in medical waste generated during the pandemic.
FRONTSH1P
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CATCO2NVERS
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