Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Christophe Len
Chimie ParisTech, France
Keynote: Catalysis for the production of furanic derivatives
Time : 10:05-10:45
Biography:
Christophe Len is currently a Professor at the Université de Technologie de Compiègne – UTC (France) and he develops his research at Chimie ParisTech, France. His current research explores organic chemistry and catalysis applied to biomass. He has published 170+ original publications. Among recent awards and recognition to his scientific career, he was promoted Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC, 2015) and was honored with the 2017 Glycerine Innovation Award sponsored by the American Cleaning Institute and the National Biodiesel Board.
Abstract:
The concepts of sustainable development, bio-economy and circular economy are increasingly being applied to the synthesizing molecules of industrial interest. Among these molecules, furfural as a platform molecule is the subject of various research approaches to improve its synthesis and productivity and also to extend its transformation for the production of molecules of interest. Due to the current momentum in promoting green chemistry for sustainable development, chemists have recently established catalytic reactions based on alternative technologies such as continuous flow. The present study showed recent break through obtained in the production of furfural, hydroxymethylfuran, methylfuran, methyl levulinate and γ-valerolactone starting from lignocellulose in the presence of homogeneous catalysts and heterogeneous catalysts using either batch process or continuous flow process. Various reaction parameters in dependence of time such as temperature, catalyst and feedstock loadings as well as solvent types have been optimized. Conception, synthesis and physico-chemical properties will be detailed. Continuous flow transformation of biomass will pave the way to green chemistry applied to the production of biofuel.
Keynote Forum
Giuliano Degrassi
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Argentina
Keynote: Enzymatic pre-treatment of biomass for improvement of biogas production
Time : 11:00-11:40
Biography:
Giuliano Degrassi has completed his PhD in 2000 from the Open University of London. He is the Coordinator of the ICGEB Outstation of Buenos Aires and Leader of the Industrial Biotechnology Group. He has published more than 30 papers in peer reviewed international journals and has been the organizer of more than 20 ICGEB courses on different aspects of biotechnology.