In Europe and elsewhere, the development of the biobased economy is handicapped by a number of problems. First of all there is a gap in the innovation chain, caused by the lack of pilot and demonstration facilities. As a second problem, there is a general shortage of well-trained process operators with experience in biobased processes.
Bio Base Europe is a joint initiative of the Europe Union, Belgium and the Netherlands that intends to alleviate these problems. Presently, Bio Base Europe is building research and training facilities for the biobased economy with an overall budget of 21 M€.
The Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is a flexible and diversified pilot plant, capable of scaling up and optimising a broad variety of biobased processes up to the 10 m3 scale. The pilot plant contains fermenters and reactors for green chemistry, as well as a variety of up- and down-stream processing equipment. The pilot plant is a one-stop-shop, capable of performing the entire value chain in a single plant, from the green resources up to the final product. The Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is a completely independent facility that is operating according to the open innovation model.
The Bio Base Europe Training Center houses a number of training facilities for biobased activities, and is operating according to an open education model. Companies as well as schools and universities can rent these facilities for tailor-made training programs of their personnel or students.