Project description
Boosting industrial oxidation efficiency with innovative catalysis
The efficiency of industrial chemical oxidations is often hindered by a fundamental challenge: the limited diffusion of oxygen to solid catalysts in aqueous environments. This bottleneck slows reaction rates, reducing productivity in key sectors such as fine chemicals. Traditional catalytic methods struggle to overcome this limitation, as the transport of molecular oxygen remains inefficient. New solutions are needed, considering the growing demand for oxidative reactions, critical in producing aldehydes and other valuable compounds. The ERC-funded NIBIOX project proposes a breakthrough approach by replacing molecular oxygen with water-soluble inorganic salts as electron acceptors. Using oxidoreductase enzymes immobilised on polymeric matrices, this innovation enhances efficiency and scalability. The results promise a competitive edge for the fine chemicals industry.
Objective
The vast majority of industrial chemical oxidations catalyzed by heterogeneous catalysts (chemical and enzymatic) in aqueous solvents suffer from several technical hindrances related to diffusion restrictions of oxygen This limitation derives from the low transport rate of molecular oxygen from the gas phase to the solvation sheath on the surface of the solid catalyst where catalysis occurs. The restriction of molecular oxygen availability at the reaction point creates a bottleneck in the productivity of industrial processes. To overcome a such major limitation in industrial productivity of oxidative biocatalysis, we propose the use of a new generation of heterogeneous biocatalysts based on oxidoreductases immobilized on polymeric matrices for the oxidation of alcohols, replacing the molecular oxygen with water soluble inorganic salts as ultimate electron acceptor. The results of NIBIOX will be exploited in the fine chemicals industry. Oxidative reactions are one of the pillars of the organic synthesis toolbox. For example, the global market for aldehydes is expected to reach more than $2 billion by 2025. This means a total global market of $232 billion in industrial fine chemistry by 2027. Therefore, the successful outcome of NIBIOX and its implementation in industrial processes will result in a profitable business with a positive impact on the economy of the stakeholders involved in the exploitation of our solution.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry aldehydes
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- social sciences economics and business economics production economics productivity
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry alcohols
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis biocatalysis
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-POC2
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
20009 San Sebastian
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.