VTT ordered a hydroprocessing bench scale unit that can process a variety of feedstocks. In particular, the unit has proven its worth in testing bio-based feedstocks and materials – a function that supports VTT’s drive to create tomorrow’s bioeconomy. The four-fold unit will be delivered to a new laboratory at VTT’s Bioruukki pilot center in Espoo.

The bench scale unit selected processes feedstocks with catalyst volumes from 10 to 50 ml and can be deployed to transform biomass into many other bio-products. High throughput experimentation has proven to be a highly valuable tool for accelerating the development of novel catalytic processes; this acceleration can now be utilized in the conversion of bio-based feeds, since chemical catalysis plays a major role. hte’s experience in testing difficult feedstocks is applied in the engineering of this unit. Thus, the technology significantly reduces the time to market for all novel bio-based products, such as bio-fuels and bio-chemicals.

“VTT opted for hte because of the company’s experience in innovative technology. We wanted to be able to test various feedstocks, which is why we chose hte as a partner to build our new unit. It will enable us to research further into new materials that are environmentally friendly,” states Antero Laitinen, Process Chemistry Development Manager from VTT.

Wolfram Stichert, CEO at hte, comments: “We are pleased to have been selected by VTT, a leading research institute in Nordic countries, for such an innovative testing unit to accelerate their research on bio-based feedstocks. hte has drawn on its wealth of experience to develop this unit so that our customers can use it to generate chemicals with promising functionalities from novel feedstocks.”