BioBTX

BioBTX, located at the Zernike Campus in Groningen, the Netherlands,  is a circular and biobased chemistry technology developer that uses its Integrated Cascading Catalytic Pyrolysis (ICCP) technology to produce drop-in chemicals and renewable, biobased aromatics - specifically sustainable Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene (BTX) from non-food biomass and plastic waste.

BioBTX, using its ICCP technology, upcycles a variety of waste streams, including end-of-life plastics and non-food biomass, through a two-step process of pyrolysis and catalytic upgrading. The first step involves cutting the carbon into smaller pieces through pyrolysis, while the second step involves gluing the carbon atoms back together to produce aromatics and convert molecules toward BTX. The resulting product is a mixture rich in BTX that can be used as a drop-in product or separated into pure benzene, toluene, and xylenes for use in the chemical industry. The BioBTX product is classified as a drop-in chemical, making it a renewable alternative for existing chemical production facilities. The BioBTX technology can also be integrated into (existing) pyrolysis and gasification plants to replace fuels and energy with valuable chemicals.

In April 2022, BioBTX completed the construction of a Mini Plant in Groningen that had undergone significant improvements and modifications based on the pilot plant. The Mini Plant can process 100 grams per hour continuously and is more flexible in terms of the process, feedstock, and product aspects. Additionally, as of April 2023, BioBTX was working on the development and construction of its first industrial-scale plant called the Petra Circular Chemicals at the Chemistry Park Delfzijl, which was expected to be completed in 2027 and would process over 50,000 tons of plastic waste annually.

Key customers and partnerships

BioBTX aims to expand its technology worldwide through licensing, joint development, and strategic partnerships. In September 2021, BioBTX participated in the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme Circular Foam (a project that demonstrates all technological steps required to achieve circularity of plastics in post-consumer applications). 

For producing 100% biobased Twaron aramid fiber, BioBTX partnered with Teijin Group, Aramid, and Symeres (November 2020). In addition, BioBTX and the University of Groningen received a grant to scale up sustainable production of platform chemicals (March 2020). To further the development of renewable aromatic chemicals, the company also partnered with Agilyx (April 2023).

For product research and development, the company also works with other organizations, including Top Sector Agri & Food, The Instituto de Tecnología Química (ITQ), iCAREPLAST, Covestro, The University of Twente, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, nova-Institute, Ecoras, and TNO.

Funding and financials

In October 2023, BioBTX along with Technical University Eindhoven and Groningen University received a EUR 2.8 million (~USD 3.0 million) grant from the Just Transition Fund (JTF) to develop the next phase of BioBTX technology.