Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Florent Allais
AgroParisTech, France
Keynote: Chemo-enzymatic synthesis and polymerizations of bio-based bisphenols derived from lignin: an access to novel renewable alternating aromatic/aliphatic polymers
Time : 9.00- 9:25
Biography:
Florent Allais is currently a Full Professor in Chemistry at AgroParisTech (Paris, France) and the Director of the Chair ABI (Industrial Agro-Biotechnologies) in Reims (France). He has completed his PhD from the University of Florida in 2004 and postdoctoral studies in the group of Prof. Janine Cossy (ESPCI, Paris, France) and Dr. Jean Boivin (ICSN-CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France). Prof. Florent Allais has presented his research in numerous international conferences, published more than 20 papers in peer-reviewed journals, granted/filed 8 patents, served as reviewer of various journals and as Associate Editor of Frontiers in Chemistry (Chemical Engineering). His research is dedicated to the development and optimization of sustainable industrial processes and high valued-added products from agro-resources (e.g., biorefineries by-products, agro-waste). More precisely, with expertise in white biotechnologies, green chemistry and downstream processing, his Chair aims at the development of platform molecules like organic acids or aromatics/phenolics - obtained from fatty esters, polysaccharides and lignocellulosic biomass - that will be used to create new functional bio-based additives, polymers or materials. The chair also aims at the production of valuable sustainable chemical intermediates that can be used in chemistry, in the food/feed industry or in cosmetology as antimicrobials, antioxidants, flavorings or surfactants to name a few
Abstract:
A family of renewable bisphenols containing bio-based phenolics and polyols from lignocellulose was prepared through chemo-enzymatic processes under mild conditions. The enzyme-catalyzed condensation steps lead to high purity grade bisphenols in high to excellent yields.
These bio-based bisphenols were then used as monomers for the preparation of various types of alternating aliphatic/aromatic polymers such as copolyesters, polyurethanes, poly(ester-alkenamers) and linear phenolic homo-oligomers. The newly obtained homo- and copolymers were then characterized by NMR, GPC, DSC and TGA. These analyses revealed not only good thermal stabilities but also a broad range of accessible Tg.
Keynote Forum
Amar K Mohanty
Premier’s Research Chair in Biomaterials and Transportation, Canada.
Keynote: Advanced Biorefining in the Sustainable Development of Bioplastics and Biocomposites
Time : 9:25-9:50
Biography:
Dr. Amar K Mohanty, a Full Professor and Premier’s Research Chair in Biomaterials and Transportation is the Director of Bioproducts Discovery & Development Centre at University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He is an international leader in the field of bioplastics, biobased materials and advanced biorefining with a focus in engineering new sustainable materials. He has more than 500 publications to his credit including 260 peer-reviewed journal papers, 25 patents (granted/filed), several conference presentation, 15 book chapters and three edited books - his total citations being 13,827 with h-index of 56. He was the recipient of the Andrew Chase Forest Products Division Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and Jim Hammer Memorial Service Award from the BioEnvironmental Polymer Society. His R&D excellence has helped in developing a number of industrial products and recently his research innovations have brought three biobased products to the market place.
Abstract:
In the emerging bioeconomy era, both the biochemical and thermochemical biomass processing streams are well positioned to develop biobased chemicals, materials and fuels, through well-integrated biorefinery concept. Currently, the co-products and byproducts from biofuel industries are considered low-value products. However, these products show immense opportunities in engineering value-added bioplastics and biomaterials for industrial uses. \\\\\\\\r\\\\\\\\n“There is no such thing as waste; waste is a co-product looking for an opportunity” defines our approach to “advanced biorefining” concept. The co-products and byproducts like: distillers’ dried grains with soluble (DDGS) from corn ethanol industries; crude glycerol from biodiesel industry; lignin from cellulosic ethanol industries and biochar from biomass pyrolysis industries, are being constantly explored for engineering new biobased materials. Resulting value-added bioplastics and biocomposites will not only help improve the economic return of the related renewable energy industries, but will also help substitute currently used petroleum-based counterparts in the manufacturing sectors. These newly developed materials show promising potential for uses in interior automotive parts, consumer products and eco-friendly packaging materials. This approach is one of the mechanisms to reduce our dependence on petroleum, as well as the greenhouse gas (GHS) emissions. This presentation will highlight the opportunities for engineering new materials from biofuel co-products, as well as under-valued bioresources for value-added industrial uses.