Biomass Chemistry: From Fossil Resources to Renewable Energy

Dr. Harry Bitter serves as Professor and Chair of Biobased Chemistry and Technology at Wageningen University & Research since 2013, where he leads research on sustainable production of chemicals from biomass and biomass-derived feedstocks. After completing his PhD in heterogeneous catalysis at Twente University in 1997, he spent 15 years at Utrecht University developing fundamental understanding of catalyst characteristics and activity. His research combines multiple disciplines including chemistry, catalysis, microbiology, separations and modeling to address biomass conversion challenges. As co-author of over 200 peer-reviewed publications with an h-index of 44 and nearly 7,000 citations, he has established himself as a prominent figure in sustainable chemical production. He currently chairs the Netherlands Institute for Research in Catalysis (NIOK) and serves on the board of the Royal Dutch Chemical Society. His group focuses on TIPTOP chemistry - Turning variable InPut into Tailored OutPut - addressing the challenges of converting variable biomass feedstocks into consistent chemical products. Beyond academia, he contributes to advancing the field through his roles in various research initiatives and his work integrating chemical approaches with computational methods to develop a circular biobased economy.

Dr. Maria Barbosa serves as Professor in Bioprocess Engineering and Director of AlgaePARC at Wageningen University & Research, where she leads groundbreaking research in microalgal biotechnology. After completing her MSc in Food Engineering at the Catholic University of Porto and PhD in Bioprocess Engineering at Wageningen University in 2003, she has built an impressive career spanning positions at ETH Zurich and EMBO Germany. As Director of AlgaePARC and Research Manager of microalgae biotechnology, she oversees research programs bridging fundamental science with commercial applications. Her work has garnered significant attention, with her publications receiving over 13,000 citations, including highly influential papers in Science and other prestigious journals. She has successfully coordinated large European projects on microalgae applications, with total budgets exceeding 18M€. Her research focuses on microalgae cultivation, biorefinery, and the translation of fundamental research to applied settings. As former president of the Dutch Biotechnology Association (NBV) and a leading figure in the field, she continues to advance microalgal biotechnology through strain improvement, process development, and scale-up strategies. Her vision of developing sustainable production chains for food, feed, chemistry, and energy from microalgae has positioned her as a key innovator in the transition toward a sustainable bioeconomy.

Dr. Corjan van den Berg serves as Assistant Professor at the Bioprocess Engineering group of Wageningen University & Research, where he specializes in developing biorefinery processes for next-generation feedstocks. His research focuses on extraction and separation technologies, particularly for microalgae and other microbial sources. After completing his PhD, he has established himself as an expert in bioprocess engineering, with significant contributions to extraction technologies and biorefinery development. In 2019, he co-founded Revyve (initially Fumi Ingredients) with Edgar Suarez Garcia, developing natural functional ingredients from micro-organisms. Their company has secured significant funding, including 8 million euros to build a factory that produces food protein from waste streams. His work spans multiple areas including extraction technology, separation processes, and biorefinery design, with particular emphasis on developing sustainable processes for converting biomass into valuable products. Through his academic work and entrepreneurial ventures, he continues to advance the field of bioprocess engineering while creating practical applications for sustainable protein production. His expertise in biorefinery and separation technology has been instrumental in developing new processes for extracting and purifying valuable compounds from microbial sources, contributing to both academic research and industrial applications.

Dr. Paul Christiaan Struik served as Professor of Crop Physiology at Wageningen University & Research until his retirement in 2023, culminating a distinguished 37-year career that established him as a prominent figure in agricultural science. After completing his PhD with distinction in 1983 from Wageningen University on forage maize physiology, he built an impressive career spanning crop science, seed systems, and agricultural biodiversity. His research encompassed diverse areas including potato physiology, photosynthesis modeling, seed production technology, and the integration of social and natural sciences in agriculture. As author of over 675 journal articles and more than 15 books, his work has significantly influenced agricultural science, earning him prestigious recognitions including the 2019 International Crop Science Award and appointment as Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2022. His research particularly focused on linking ecophysiology with genetics through modeling approaches, studying seed systems of vegetatively propagated crops, and investigating agrobiodiversity conservation. As Editor-in-Chief of Potato Research and editor for several other journals, he has shaped scientific discourse in his field while supervising over 100 PhD candidates. His work bridges fundamental research with practical applications, emphasizing the importance of integrating social and natural sciences in addressing global agricultural challenges. Beyond academia, he holds positions as Honorary Professor at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Adjunct Faculty at the University of Bangalore, continuing to influence agricultural science globally even after retirement.

Dr. Elinor Scott serves as Associate Professor at Wageningen University's Biobased Chemistry and Technology group, where she has established herself as a pioneer in developing sustainable conversion routes from biomass to industrial chemicals since 1997. After completing her PhD in Chemistry at Heriot-Watt University, she gained valuable experience as a postdoctoral researcher in polymer chemistry at the University of Strathclyde and Heriot-Watt University before moving to the Netherlands. Her industrial experience includes positions at DSM as a polymer scientist and at ATO focusing on biomass conversions. Her research focuses on creating economically and ecologically viable processes for converting biomass into valuable chemicals, with particular emphasis on utilizing renewable resources. As a key researcher in biorefinery processes, she has made significant contributions to understanding how biomass structure can be efficiently utilized for chemical production beyond just fuels or electricity. Her work spans multiple areas including biocatalysis, polymer chemistry, and sustainable process development, with over 3,900 citations reflecting her significant impact on the field. Through her role at Wageningen University, she continues to advance the development of bio-based chemicals and sustainable production processes, particularly focusing on the conversion of biomass components into valuable industrial chemicals and materials.