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Basis of design for the first commercial bio-aromatics plant completed

April 26, 2023

An important milestone for Relement has been completed: a conceptual process design for the first commercial plant for the production of specialty bio-aromatics is in place. Relement has recently completed, together with Dutch engineering company TransitionHERO, the basis of design for a flagship plant capable of producing 5.000 ton of bio-aromatic MPA (3-methylphthalic anhydride) and 1.000 ton of bio-aromatic HMA (hemimellitic acid) per year. The manufacturing process starts with the intake of bio-based furfural, a promising raw material for bio-based chemicals that is made entirely from agricultural non-edible residues such as bagasse, wood residues, sugar beet pulp, etc. The design includes a cost estimate for the investment, operational costs and a preliminary CO2-footprint calculation. 


Relement coordinated a consortium consisting of Stichting Circular Biobased Delta, Catalok and TNO to make this happen. Various technologies for the production of the bio-aromatics were evaluated. Subcontractor TransitionHERO integrated all data into a conceptual process design, to identify the main cost drivers, and to scale up the design from bench scale to a flagship plant for the production of bio-aromatics MPA and HMA.


Conclusion and way forward

The bio-aromatics flagship plant is commercially feasible. Due to the initial investment required, start-up Relement has decided to pivot its strategy into scaling up bio-aromatics by pursuing an asset light strategy. Relement’s choice is to set up production for our launching product bio MPA first, making use of a contract manufacturing organization. Our time to market for bio MPA will be shortened to 2024 which is an advantage for our launching customers. Relement is currently in the phase of selecting the right production partner. After bio MPA has been successfully launched at scale, Relement will revisit the opportunity to build a dedicated production facility.

 

It is Relement’s mission to change the world, starting with fossil free coatings. We are crazy about chemistry and serious about getting rid of fossil resources. We provide the missing renewable element for coatings. Our specialty bio-aromatic products provide an unmatched combination of sustainability and coating performance. All elements matter.

Are you looking forward to joining us on our scale-up journey and accelerating the development and commercial implementation of bio MPA? Please contact us for more information: Roger Blokland at roger.blokland@relement.eu

Consortium partners for conceptual process design


Subcontractor

This project is made possible by a financial contribution from Topsector Energie from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs

Relement won a Tech Tour Bio-Based Industries 2024 Award

November 21, 2024
Relement is honored and grateful to be among the winners of the Tech Tour Bio-Based Industries 2024 Award. The Tech Tour event highlighted >30 selected companies at the forefront of bio-based innovation, chosen through a rigorous selection process led by a panel of active investors. Our CEO Roger Blokland was on site to present our activities. He pitched about transforming sustainable biomass residues into high-performance bio-aromatics for coatings, adhesives, and materials, offering a renewable alternative to fossil-based ingredients while also enhancing product performance. The expert jury acknowledged Relement as one of the companies that is setting new benchmarks in sustainability, circular materials, and green technology. The Tech Tour Bio-based Industries 2024 event was co-organized by Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) and co-hosted by Circular Valley and City of Wuppertal, as well as supported by partners like Bayer, DWNRW, ZAZ Ventures, and Shaping Bio. Of course, we would also like to congratulate the other winners: Arda Biomaterials, Blue Ocean Closures, Mevaldi, Origin by Ocean, Quorium and SenseUP Biotechnology.

Collaboration project with Fontys University of Applied Sciences completed

July 1, 2024
Relement has completed its first collaboration project with Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Eindhoven (The Netherlands). During a 18 months period, a team of teachers and 21 students worked on alkyd coating research based on Relement’ launching product bio MPA. To accelerate the research, coating experts Joost van Dijk (Puroc) and Henk van den Haak (Resinconsult) advised the students with experimental setup and formulation work. A wealth of knowledge has been created supporting the commercial use of bio MPA in performance alkyd coatings. The Relement team enjoyed the project and is convinced about the effectiveness of collaborative applied research. We are thankful with at least 21 new ambassadors for sustainable chemistry! This project is partially funded with subsidy from KIEM GoChem, a joint subsidy program from the Dutch Regieorgaan SIA and ChemistryNL. 

Bio MPA production process improved

June 24, 2024
Relement has contracted R&D partners to further optimize the production process for our launching product bio MPA (3-methylphthalic anhydride), enabling us to commence industrial-scale manufacturing soon. The efforts resulted in: a leaner and more robust process; increased bio MPA product recovery; reduced formation of byproducts such as humins; reduced the use of organic solvents; reduced energy requirement. After the summer, we will select a Contract Manufacturing Organisation to begin the production of our launching product bio MPA. Join us on our mission towards a greener chemical future. Get in touch if you would like to purchase bio MPA for your coating, adhesive or composite resin. For more information please contact our CTO Stefano Iannacone: Stefano.iannacone@relement.eu 

HOBUM and Relement created high performing biobased composite material

June 17, 2024
Relement achieved an important milestone by successfully demonstrating the use of our ingredient bio MPA in high-quality composite materials. Relement worked with Hobum to create this game-changing material: a high-performance, biobased composite material with a glass transition temperature of >110 degrees Celsius. Hobum aimed to develop composites parts made of plant fibres and a vegetable oil-based resins using a resin-transfer moulding process to create a bisphenol A-free product. Hobum reached out to Relement for the utilisation of our ingredient bio MPA to replace fossil-based anhydrides such as MHHPA in their resins. After 1.5 year of testing of various formulations, the partnership hit a breakthrough with a recipe based on admergenic acid (ADA), epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) and Relement’s ingredient 3-methylphthalic anhydride (bio MPA). This resulted in a prototype car interior panel part. The composite material reached the highest % biobased (85%) and the highest glass transition temperature (Tg 95-120 °C depending on catalyst and temperature). A higher Tg results in enhanced strength, stiffness and heat resistance. There is a strong demand worldwide on availability of lightweight composite materials with high performance. Bio MPA can be a gamechanger for this industry. HOBUM recently showed all technical data at their HOBUM Innovation Exchange Webinar. Please view the complete record using the link below:

Akzo Nobel entered into a collaboration with Relement

June 4, 2024
Following meetings with AkzoNobel, Relement is excited to note that AkzoNobel has been following our progress and technology development to date with interest. Relement and Akzo Nobel are working together to explore use of Relement's launching product bio MPA (3-methylphthalic anhydride) in coatings and measure the impact of our bio MPA in coating performances. Together, we have also identified a number of other opportunities that can broaden the scope of this partnership and add value in multiple areas. For more information please contact our Chief Commercial Officer Monique Wekking: monique.wekking@relement.eu

Relement part of AROMATICS consortium

December 14, 2023
We are excited to be part of the consortium AROMATICS in which 3 promising bio-aromatics production platforms will be further developed and scaled, including furfural based aromatics such as our launching product bio MPA The consortium consists of 14 partners and the entire value chain is on board including brandowners. We are looking forward to explore new applications based on bio MPA and bio HMA. AROMATICS stands for Aromatic Renewables as an Opportunity for MATerials with Improved Circularity and Sustainability and this 3-year project is performed with MOOI-funding from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate.

First biobased industrial coating demonstrated with partners Worlée Chemie and Baril Coatings

December 14, 2023
An important milestone for Relement has been achieved: the successful demonstration of bio MPA in industrial coatings! Relement teamed up with Worlée Chemie and Baril Coatings to successfully demonstrate this game-changer industrial coating: a first of a kind, high performance, waterborne alkyd coating. Incorporating our ingredient bio MPA to replace the fossil-based ingredient phthalic anhydride.

Pre-order bio MPA from our 2024 production

December 14, 2023
Relement is in the final stage of selecting a European Contract Manufacturing Organisation that will produce our launching product bio MPA at ton-scale in 2024. It is possible to pre-order samples now. Please indicate to us the volume bio MPA you would like to purchase in 2024 to boost the sustainability and performance of your products. Fill in the form below:

Carbon footprint study conducted for product bio MPA

November 28, 2023
Relement conducted a carbon footprint analysis as part of the initial Life Cycle Assessment for our launching product bio MPA (3-methylphthalic anhydride) A cradle-to-grave analysis has been carried out by E-hoch-3 and confirms: the production of specialty bio-aromatics from furfural, derived from non-edible residual streams, results in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions compared to fossil equivalent. It’s Relement’s mission to change the world, starting with fossil free coatings. We provide the missing renewable element for coatings and more. Our specialty bio-aromatic products provide an unmatched combination of sustainability and performance. All elements matter. Are you interested in the details and would you like to join us and green the chemical industry together? Please contact Roger Blokland for more information at roger.blokland@relement.eu

Relement selected for the Pole Position batch 2023 of Techleap.nl

November 28, 2023
Relement is one of the 10 startups selected for the Dutch Pole Position Greentech Program of Techleap.nl in 2023. This batch showcases the brightest minds and boldest innovations with a focus on sustainability and environmental impact in the Netherlands. Relement is part of this the Greentech Pole Position program together with CarbonX, CyBe Construction, OneThird , Photanol, QuinteQ Energy, SeaQurrent®, Tarnoc, RIFT and Thorizon. The team will experienced coaches, entrepeneurs, investors and of course it is always good to challenge and learn from other passionate deep tech entrepreneurs. The program runs until January 2024 and will accelerate our biobased scale-up journey.
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