Institute of Chemistry of Renewable Resources

The Institute of Chemistry of Renewables Resources ...

... investigates the chemistry of the future, which is based on sustainable resources. The focus is on the chemistry and analysis of lignocelluloses and biomass, biorefineries, new analytical and separation processes and modern methods and reactions of "green chemistry".

Pioneering Work in Textile Recycling: BOKU's Role in the Josef Ressel Center ReSTex

At the Josef Ressel Center ReSTex, experts from the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt and BOKU are jointly engaged in research to improve recycling methods for mixed-fabric textiles.

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Chemistry of Renewable Resources

The institute is positioned at the interface between organic and analytical chemistry, polymer chemistry and natural product chemistry. As the name suggests, it deals with the chemistry, structure and analysis of renewable resources. The research covers all aspects of modern organic synthetic chemistry, structural-chemical aspects and development of analytical methods. The focus is on the following topics:

Celluloses (chemistry, structure and chemical modification), cellulose production (pulping & bleaching), cellulose solutions and cellulose solvents, cellulosic fibers and textiles, paper and paper chemistry, historical cellulosic materials, aging processes in cellulosic products
Nanostructured celluloses and new cellulosic high-tech products
Advanced cellulose analysis (molecular weight distributions, profiles of functional groups, chromophore analysis, hemicelluloses)
Native and technical lignins (chemistry, structure and chemical modification), structure-property-application relationships for lignins, new non-energetic applications of lignins (binders, gels, foams), lignins as starting materials for chemicals
Advanced lignin analysis (molecular weight distributions, functional groups, linkage analysis)
New biomaterials (aerogels, functional fibers, medical applications)
Extractives (separation, identification, testing) and secondary metabolites in plant materials and their application
Chemistry and applications of phenolic antioxidants
Biorefineries, biorefinery analytics and novel separation and analysis methods for their complex product streams
"Green Chemistry" (chemical reactions that are gentle on resources and the environment, solvent-free, energy-saving and atomic-economic conversions, microwave syntheses, new reaction media).

The working group is very multi-national and involved in a variety of national and international collaborations. As services, we offer various aspects of chemistry and analysis of lignocellulosic materials and products.