Biorefinery: From Biomass to Building Blocks

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. Costas Nikiforidis serves as Associate Professor of Biobased Soft Materials at Wageningen University & Research, where he leads a team of 10 PhD candidates, 1 postdoctoral researcher, and several undergraduate students. After studying Chemistry at Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece, and completing his PhD in Physical Chemistry of Foods, he joined Wageningen University over a decade ago. His research focuses on bio-sourcing molecules and molecular complexes for creating sustainable and functional materials, with particular emphasis on understanding molecular interactions in biomass for sustainable separations. His work spans natural complexes, supramolecular chemistry, and biomass separation, contributing significantly to sustainable food production and material development. With over 60 peer-reviewed publications, one patent, and numerous speaking invitations at conferences, universities, and companies, he has established himself as a leading voice in biobased materials research. His highly-cited work includes groundbreaking research on oil bodies, protein-based structures, and sustainable food production concepts, demonstrating the practical applications of his research in both food and material sciences. Through his leadership of the Biobased Soft Materials team, he continues to advance our understanding of property-function relationships in biosourced molecules and their applications in sustainable materials development.