CSM, Royal DSM and Delft University of Technology Invest in Bioprocess Pilot Facility for Bio-Research

In this facility process development research can be facilitated in the entire field of biomass pre-processing, biomass pre-treatment, fermentation and downstream processing. The set up of this facility starts with equipment already existing on the site of DSM, which will be brought in into the Joint Venture.

15 May 2012 --- CSM, Royal DSM and Delft University of Technology are participating in a joint venture for bioprocess research. The new company Bioprocess Pilot Facility BV (BPF) is based in Delft and aims at scale-up research and education for next generation bioprocesses. The official opening of the facility is today May 15, 2012.

In this facility process development research can be facilitated in the entire field of biomass pre-processing, biomass pre-treatment, fermentation and downstream processing. The set up of this facility starts with equipment already existing on the site of DSM, which will be brought in into the Joint Venture. Additional equipment and facilities, especially related to the pre-treatment of biomass, will be implemented in the coming 12-18 months.

The BPF is an open access facility where other companies, universities, institutes etc. Can execute their scale-up research on bioprocesses. CSM, DSM and Delft University of Technology have decided to join forces in order to obtain a world class facility to test new bioprocesses in the scaling-up from laboratory and pilot plant to industrial size.

Eric Roos, the newly appointed director of the BPF says: “The BPF is a unique facility which enables companies, researchers and educational organizations around the world to test their new bioprocesses on such a scale that they can make the step to an industrial facility”.

The Bioprocess Pilot Facility is financially supported by the European Union, The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, the Province of South Holland and the Municipalities of Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague. Mr Gerard Hoetmer (CEO CSM), Mr Feike Sijbesma (CEO DSM) and Mr DirkJan van den Berg (President of the Technical University of Delft) stressed the importance of this top quality research facility in The Netherlands, especially in view of the opportunities that the innovative and sustainable bio-and knowledge-based-economy is providing to The Netherlands.

Also Mr Chris Buijink, Secretary General of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation underpinned that this research facility is exactly in the core of the innovation spearheads (Top Sectoren) of the Dutch innovation policy.