€1.5 million for sustainable specialty and fine chemicals

NWO and the National Growth Fund foundation GroenvermogenNL award €19.3 million to the HyFINE project to make the synthesis of speciality and fine chemicals more sustainable. The project is expected to make an important contribution to the decarbonisation of the Dutch chemical industry. Researchers from the University of Twente are participating as partners with €1.5 million in funding, alongside the UT spin-off Sulis Polymers.

Speciality and fine chemicals are essential to the chemical, materials, agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. Current production processes rely heavily on fossil-based feedstocks, consume large amounts of energy and generate significant volumes of waste. Making these processes more sustainable is therefore important on multiple fronts. By using hydrogen and green electrons, synthesis routes can be made shorter, cleaner and more efficient. This can be achieved, for example, through electrochemical reactions or photo/redox catalysis, enabling thermodynamically "uphill" reactions that are not feasible using conventional methods.

The funded project: HyFINE – Green Hydrogen and Electrons for Specialty and Fine Chemicals

HyFINE is a Dutch initiative that brings together a consortium of universities, research institutes and industry partners to make the production of chemicals more sustainable and affordable. The project aims to replace fossil-based feedstocks such as oil and natural gas with renewable resources, including waste streams, using clean energy sources such as green hydrogen and renewable electricity. Its goal is to enable climate-neutral, circular production of chemical building blocks for applications including adhesives, coatings, plastics and cosmetics. In addition to developing new technologies, HyFINE focuses on educating the next generation of experts and sharing knowledge to strengthen the Netherlands' position as a leader in green chemistry.

About GroenvermogenNL

GroenvermogenNL is a National Growth Fund programme that invests in the development of a green hydrogen economy for the Netherlands. The programme aims to accelerate the transition from a society and industry based on fossil resources to a sustainable energy system, with green hydrogen as a key enabling technology. In doing so, it seeks to foster new industries and create an attractive business climate. A well-trained workforce and a strong knowledge-sharing ecosystem are essential to achieving these ambitions. The investment programme runs until 2031.

National Growth Fund programmes

The Dutch Research Council (NWO) manages thematic research, knowledge development and innovation programmes funded by the National Growth Fund. These programmes generate knowledge that can be translated into innovations and practical applications, contributing to the long-term earning capacity and broad prosperity of the Netherlands. They bring together partners from across the entire knowledge and innovation ecosystem, including universities, research institutes, companies and public organisations.

dr. Q. Lin (Ivana) Assistant Professor

+31534892549

 q.lin@utwente.nl

Building: Carré C4219

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prof.dr. F.R. Wurm (Frederik) Full Professor

+31534894196

 frederik.wurm@utwente.nl

Building: Carré C4225

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