Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents, or NADES, are regarded as the future of solvent design. Made from common plant metabolites, these solvents exhibit remarkable solvating strength and tuneability, while remaining cost-effective, non-toxic and non-volatile.

NADES show promising characteristics for use in ‘green’ and non-toxic biomass extractions.

Biomass valorisation is one of the cornerstones of green chemistry. Dealing with waste or side products in an environmentally conscious way, while at the same time producing value-added products, is the way forward. Through pyrolysis, most common biomass resources can yield a wide variety of useful products: activated carbon adsorbers, soil amenders, and even battery components.

Microalgae biomass could be used to produce biobased chemicals for food, feed or biofuel industries. Through various biorefinery concepts, we study microalgae biomass production in the context of wastewater treatment combined with co-production of biomaterials with added value that contribute to a circular bioeconomy.