Sustainable process and energy systems
The development of new, sustainable technologies and processes is important for people and the environment. The Sustainable process and energy systems expertise group works to develop a sustainable industry, based on broad knowledge and expertise. We do this together with our partners.
Technology development for industrial sustainability
Sustainable Process and Energy Systems (SPES) is a research group focused on developing and scaling industrial technologies for decarbonisation, material circularity, and electrification. We integrate expertise across process engineering, separation technology, electrochemistry, organic chemistry, and value-chain modelling to support the integration of renewable energy sources into industrial processes.
Our key asset is a cutting-edge laboratory infrastructure enabling scale-up from grams to kilograms and watts to kilowatts, helping partners bridge the critical TRL2–6 gap efficiently and effectively.
Innovation for a renewable and circular future
SPES drives innovation in process technology to accelerate societal adoption of sustainable and circular solutions. Our intrinsically motivated team—collaborative, critical, and inclusive—focuses on specific technologies and application domains that enable the transition to renewable resources and circular carbon use.
From laboratory research to pilots and demonstrators
Combining chemistry and process engineering expertise, we develop new technologies and excel in scaling them from TRL2 to proof-of-concepts and pilots at TRL4–6. We design, build, and test novel components and equipment supporting advancements in CO₂ capture and utilisation, plastics recycling, biobased conversion routes, and electrochemical processes.
Our areas of expertise
We develop scalable pathways to convert renewable feedstocks into sustainable chemicals and fuels, targeting deployment in real-world industrial environments. Through shared platform technologies, we rapidly deliver kg-scale samples and accelerate scale-up for applications such as advanced monomers, specialty additives, surfactants, and energetic materials.
We design catalytic and thermochemical routes to CO₂-based fuels and platform chemicals using renewable hydrogen and explore hydrogen carriers such as ammonia and methanol to broaden industrial and infrastructure compatibility. Our integrated chemistry-engineering approach enables optimized reactors, intensified processes, and efficient separations tailored to commercial manufacturing needs.
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:
- Biobased plasticisers
- Biobased coatings
- Biobased surfactants
- 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
Our 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 scale technologies from TRL3 to TRL5.
The portfolio includes low-temperature electrochemical CO₂ conversion, organic electrosynthesis of specialty chemicals, and electrochemical energy storage technologies such as redox-flow batteries.
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
- Organic Electricity Storage: CRM-free solutions for electricity storage
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 modelling, solvent and emission management, and pilot-scale demonstrations.
We also design and scale CO₂ removal and purification strategies for sectors including waste-to-energy, cement, and maritime applications, including large container ships.
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 highly specialised experts offering solutions to realistic challenges faced by industry today. We operate at the interface of technology, markets, and policy, providing clients with strategic options and insights to support a sustainable future.
Our services include techno-economic assessments, feasibility studies, value-chain and energy-system analysis, solution-space evaluation, and market and policy mapping. We work with 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
Energy-efficient buildings project
The SCORES project is a 4-year project on energy-efficient buildings. The goal of the project is to develop an energy system for buildings and demonstrate it in practice.
SCORES focuses on increasing the use of renewable energy in residential buildings at low cost. The project also looks at new compact hybrid storage technologies that optimise the use (supply, storage, and demand) of electricity and heat in residential buildings.
SCORES was launched in November 2017 and is funded by the European Union, as part of the Horizon 2020 call on Energy-Efficient Buildings. TNO coordinates, promotes smooth collaboration, and strengthens the consortium from within.
Contact us
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Bastian de Bes
Functie:Research manager-
Standplaats:Rijswijk - Kesslerpark
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Email:Email Bastian
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Get inspired
Gasifying waste and residual wood for large scale Green Gas production
Turning CO2 into formic acid for sustainable energy and chemical applications
Power-to-X: cornerstone for decarbonisation and economic resilience of the chemical industry
Renewable syngas: essential for industrial decarbonisation
Western North Brabant becomes hotspot for biobased building blocks for the construction industry
