Notable results from BE-Basic

BE-Basic Foundation currently has over 50 partners. Our R&D programmes include over 80 research projects, which are coordinated into 12 flagships. Here is a selection of notable results from BE-Basic’s technological developments and projects (in no specific order). 

Macroeconomic outlook

Click here to view or download the:

  • Public version: synopsis of the full scientific report of the impacts study
  • Slide pack: presents the main results and key conclusions in a PowerPoint presentation (will be uploaded soon)
  • The full scientific report of the study, performed by LEI Wageningen UR and Utrecht University can be downloaded for free at http://edepot.wur.nl/370901 or at www.wageningenUR.nl/en/lei (under LEI publications)

Self-healing Concrete

This concrete is based on bacteria that produce calcite to repair cracks and prolong the life of the concrete structure. It was first developed by a team of partners from Delft University of Technology. BE-Basic supports the development into a fully-fledged product. Three new products are to be launched on the market in 2015: self-healing concrete, repair mortar and a liquid repair variant.

More information: www.basiliskconcrete.com

A new way of looking for novel antibiotics

A research team of NIOO-KNAW discovered new mixed cultures with an optimal activity profile and low toxicity that are used to look for novel antibiotics instead of mono cultures. Instead of identifying new antibiotics by testing various single microbial strains in axenic cultures, the ecology-based method of nature mining opens up a richer pallet of mixed cultures in which bioactive compounds are found with optimal activity profile and low toxicity. This is especially interesting because certain antimicrobial compounds can only grow in combination with other microorganisms.

Speeding up the engineering of genetically modified microorganisms

Researchers from the Delft University of Technology developed a new technique for strain engineering in yeast that speeds up the engineering and testing of microorganisms. An open-source tool has been developed to identify suitable Cas9 target sites in specific yeast strains.

Stimulating plants for improved food quality

Microorganisms change the secondary metabolite profile of plants to produce specific substances (e.g. health-promoting plant substances in broccoli). These are actively profiled and selected for minimal toxicity by BioDetection Systems.

A new way of bioanalysis for biobased safety

BioDetection Systems and Amsterdam’s VU University developed CALUX screening systems. This provides a new way of bioanalysis, e.g. biomass for safety and quality assessment, waste products and biobased materials without using animals. More information: www.bds.nl

A standardised tool for assessing soil quality

At NIOO-KNAW, a team is developing a standardised tool for assessing soil quality, to help farmers produce biomass efficiently with less environmental impact. The team has identified a selection of interesting candidate microorganisms and functions with good predictability in three key areas.

Cellulosic ethanol

BE-Basic made a significant contribution to the ground-breaking technology used in Project Liberty to process agricultural residues into ethanol. The project is a joint venture between DSM and POET. The King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander took part in the Grand Opening ceremony in 2014.

Optimising the purification in complex fermentation processes

Researchers from Delft University of Technology, DSM and Synthon develop a software tool to optimise the purification of complex fermentation processes. The method is now being fine-tuned in case studies and a software tool has been produced that can be used by the various partners. The method is now being fine-tuned in industrial case studies and a software tool has been produced that is used by the various industry partners, and will be marketed through Delft University of Technology spin-out Marlin BV.

From PET to PEF: the new generation of plastics

The FDCA (2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid) process makes it possible to produce alternatives to the standard PET bottle and other plastic packaging. In addition, PEF based on FDCA provides better protection of the plastic polymers and makes it last longer. PEF is now developed worldwide by lactic acid market leader Corbion. More information: www.corbion.com

Cost reduction in advanced biofuels

Delft University of technology-starter DAB BV (Delft Advanced Biorenewables) is scaling-up its proprietary DIRC-technology with the Bioprocess Pilot Facility and Delft University of Technology for the in-situ recovery of phase seperating fermentation products, ranging from specialty to bulk/fuel products, targeting sustantial cost reduction and improved operational control. More information: www.delftab.com

Questions / More information

Would you like to know more about one of these projects?
Feel free to contact us at supportoffice@be-basic.org.