(i) CHEMICALS and PRODUCTS from RAPESEED PRESSCAKE

Rapeseed is a fundamental agricultural staple and a precious source of cooking oil. The residue after oil extraction (presscake) is commonly used as cattlefeed. However, it is rich in phytin (myo-inositol hexaphosphate, calcium and magnesium salt), an organic phosphorus compound which acts as a powerful antinutrient due to its ability to chelate metal ions. 

NeoChemurgy has developed a proprietary procedure for extracting phytic acid from rapeseed presscake and directly converting it into Phyter(TM), a new product family of bio-based fire-retardants suitable for plastics and lignocellulosic biomass products. Depending on the desired properties, Phyter(TM) products can be formulated as solid additives for dispersion e.g. into plastics or composites,  as well as water- or solvent-based solutions or dispersions. 

Phytin is not the only high-added value component of rapeseed presscake that NeoChemurgy has an interest to valorize: sinapine (sinapoyl choline), is a natural powerful antioxidant and UV-protective agent that we are currently studying how to conveniently extract and turn e.g. into sunscreens.

(ii) FUNGAL GLUCANS, CHITIN, CHITOSAN and DERIVATIVES

Chitin and chitosan are extremely versatile biopolymers with countless industrial applications. However, most commercial products come from animal sources, such as crustaceans. As a result, animal-free alternative sources are highly sought after. 

At NeoChemurgy, we mine fungi and mycelium for valuable biopolymers such as glucans and chitin. We are developing new techniques to separate, purify and hydrolyze the glucan-chitin complex, while exploring more sustainable ways to deacetylate chitin into chitosan, and to prepare functional derivatives and materials.     

(iii) BIO-BASED COMPOSITES

At NeoChemurgy we are investigating ways to turn biomass into sustainable high-performance composites, for example using the extracted rapeseed presscake to make bio-based particle- and fiberboards. 

NeoChemurgy has been developing a new type of circular bioplastic called Schraps(TM): a thermoplastic material, made by a proprietary method involving hot-pressing rapeseed presscake with food-grade additives. Schraps(TM) can be flexible or rigid, it's safe and mechanically recyclable, and intrinsically fire-retardant. Potential applications range from packaging to materials for agriculture and fire protection. 

More information on this product could be found here.

In addition to developing new materials and composites, NeoChemurgy is interested in enabling them with advanced functionalities such as electrical conductivity. To this end we are experimenting with innovative manufacturing techniques, especially laser-induced surface modification. 

Our research on the direct laser-induced conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into highly electrically conductive graphite-like materials, a process commonly referred to as laser-induced graphitization (LIG), has led to the development of EZ-LIG(TM), a product family of proprietary water-based, metal-free surface treatments. With EZ-LIG(TM), the surface of substrates as diverse as native wood, fiberboards, paper, as well as other wood- and lignocellulose-based products, can be made electrically conductive with a single passage of a conventional CO2-laser cutter.