Sustainable process and energy systems

We develop scalable pathways to convert renewable feedstocks into sustainable chemicals and fuels by integrating chemical understanding with process-oriented thinking. Emphasis is on understanding and controlling the underlying chemistry – from reaction mechanisms and catalysis, to the engineering parameters governing efficiency, scalability, and robustness.

Shared platform technologies enable rapid delivery of kilogram‑scale samples and accelerated scale-up for applications including advanced monomers, specialty additives (e.g. plasticisers, surfactants), and energetic materials. We also develop catalytic and thermochemical routes to CO₂‑based products using renewable hydrogen, and explore hydrogen carriers such as ammonia and methanol.

Focus areas:

• Process intensification & separation-enhanced reactor engineering
• Kg-scale sample production
• Catalysis & organic synthesis
• Thermocatalytic CO₂ conversion / decarbonised routes to SAF

Spin-off:

Relement spin-off

Innovations:

• First Biobased Industrial Coating
• Sustainable aviation fuel from CO2: TAKE-OFF project

Our Circular Plastics team specialises in developing and optimising advanced recycling processes for diverse plastic waste streams, often containing contaminants or additives. We developed a generic dissolution-based recycling technology and supporting infrastructure for target recovery of specific polymers—ranging from TRL3 screening to TRL5/6 scale-up and demonstration.

We also design solvolysis technologies for recovering fibres and resin components from hard-to-recycle thermoset composites.

Focus areas:

• Dissolution-based recycling
• Solvolysis

Innovation:

TNO Möbius LETO dissolution-based recycling technology

Electrochemistry team develops and scales novel electrochemical technologies for the chemical industry. With expertise in electrocatalysis, organic chemistry, and electrochemical engineering, and over a decade of piloting experience, we help our partners to scale electrochemical technologies from TRL3 to TRL5.

Focus areas:

• Electrochemical CO₂ conversion
• Organic electrosynthesis
• Flow batteries and supercapacitors
• Electrically-driven separations

Pilot stations/innovations

• ZEUS: testing facility for upscaling CO2 electrolysis
• PERFORM: Flexible testing station for piloting organic electrosynthesis

We address challenges in gas purification with a strong focus on CO₂ capture, including BECCS and DACCS. Our work ranges from fundamental research—such as developing novel solvents—to techno‑economic studies, process design, process modelling, solvent and emission management. To validate our innovations, we perform pilot demonstrations using our CO₂ capture pilots; in the lab and on-site at client locations, ensuring practical and scalable solutions.

We design and scale CO₂ removal and purification strategies for various sectors, including waste‑to‑energy, cement, and maritime, such as large container ships, where tailored approaches are essential for effective carbon management.

Focus areas:

• Solvent and emission management for CO₂ capture
• Ship-based / onboard carbon capture
• CO₂ quality (including O₂ and NOₓ removal)

Innovation:

• DORA (Dissolved Oxygen Removal Apparatus) technology
• Demonstrating carbon capture on LNG-fuelled ships

Our consultancy team comprises of highly specialized experts offering solutions to realistic challenges faced by industry today. We operate at the interface of technology, markets, and policy. We provide clients with strategic options and advice based on our unique insights and experience on technology development and industrial ecosystems.

Our services include bottom up technoeconomic assessments, feasibility studies, value‑chain and ‑energy system analysis, ‑solution space‑ evaluation, as well as market and policy mapping. We work with diverse stakeholders and clients including petrochemical companies, steel and cement industries, start‑ups, governments, and research organisations.

Focus areas:

• Industrial carbon management
• Renewable and circular feedstocks and materials
• Energy systems and system integration
• Power markets