Research topic Change in the raw material and energy base.

Societal Challenge:
Naturally occurring and developable/usable mineral resources are becoming increasingly scarce. Renewable resources (including soil) are being used more intensively and are becoming increasingly degraded. The impact on climate and the environment as a result of the use of fossil energy resources is becoming increasingly evident.

Contributions of the Process Engineering Dean's Office (selection)

• Recycling / circular economy of mineral resources
• More efficient use of phosphorus by closing the cycles
• Development of alternative, climate-neutral fuels and elaboration of concepts for their optimal market introduction
• Substitution of fossil by biogenic industrial raw materials
• Use of organic waste for the production of "green" basic chemicals and "green" fine chemicals within the framework of integrated biorefinery concepts
• Development of hydrogen-based renewable energy systems

Institutes and Cooperations
Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, Institute of Solid State Process Engineering, Institute of Systems Engineering, Institute of Technical Biocatalysis, Institute of Technical Microbiology, Institute of Thermal Process Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering and Energy Management and
hereon, Helmut Schmidt University Hamburg, HafenCity University Hamburg, University of Hamburg and others.

► The research topic is reflected in the research focus Environmental & Energy Systems.
► Interdisciplinary bundling with other topics takes place in the research field Environmental & Energy Systems.
► The study programs M.Sc. Renewable Energies , M.Sc. Process Engineering and M.Sc. Bioprocess Engineering take up contents of the research topic.

Research topic „Sustainable Food Production“

Social Challenges:

The trend towards consumption of plant-based food alternatives increases since the last years, due to health, ethical, environmental, ecological or animal welfare reasons. Plant-based alternatives are characterized by lower water consumptions and CO₂ emission compared to conventional food products. In addition, the plant-based raw materials can help to tackle the increasing world’s population and their needs as well as climate change due to their large availability. The food industry is facing the challenge to meet the consumer trend towards healthy, sustainable food products.

Process Engineering Dean’s Office Contributions:

• Development of plant-based food products

• Optimization of manufacturing processes to save resources without compromising product quality

• Sustainable packaging design for food products

• Optimization of storage and shelf-life properties of powdered food products

• Testing of alternative and more environmentally friendly food components to save resources

• Improvement of product properties for enhanced consumer preferences and nutrition

Institutes and Cooperations:

Institute of Solids Process Engineering and Particle Technology, Nestlé Research & Development, Institute of Technical Biocatalysis, Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, Institute of Multiphase Flows, Institute of Advanced Ceramics, University of Hamburg, DESY and others

• The research topic focuses on Biobased Processes & Reactor Technologies.

• An interdisciplinary bundling with other topics takes place in the research field of Advanced Materials.

• The study programs containing M.Sc. Bioverfahrenstechnik, M.SC. Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, M.Sc. Verfahrenstechnik address contents of the research topic.

Research topic Innovative reactor technologies

Societal challenge:
Increased resource and energy efficiency in chemical conversions, Adaptation of reactor and control concepts to seasonal and regional variations in renewable raw materials as feedstock, Increased flexibility for personalized products and shorter cycle times, Quality by Design.

Contributions of the Process Engineering Dean's Office (selection):

• Integration of separation operations in reactors
• Smart Reactors
• Multiphase Reactors
• eletro-Biotechnology

Institutes and Cooperations:
University of Hamburg, DESY, Helmholtz Center hereon, regional and international chemical companies.

► The research topic is reflected in the research focus Biobased Process and Reactor Technologies.
► Interdisciplinary bundling with other topics takes place in the research field Advanced Materials & (Bio-)Processes.
►The study programs M.Sc. Bioprocess Engineering, M.Sc. Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, M.Sc. Process Engineering take up contents of the research topic.