Biotess

The project BIOTESS pursues the production of biobased Phase change materials (bio-PCMs) from liquid waste substrates from biowaste treatments, used cooking fats, and from grease residues from grease traps, such as those produced in canteens or the catering industry. This project aims to produce bio-PCM that can be used in the construction sector, for example in a sustainable insulation material to reduce insulation consumption. The produced bio-PCMs undergo a phase change at certain temperatures and can thus store heat. This property allows heat to be retained in buildings in winter and reduces the hours of indoor heating in summer. Consequently, PCMs ensure that required energy resources and associated greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. The use of waste substrates has two advantages.

First, there is no competition with food crops, as is currently the case with existing bio-PCMs made from vegetable oils, such as coconut or palm oil. Second, the waste substrates used undergo upcycling and can be used for higher value applications. In this context, the BIOTESS project pursues two process strands for the extraction of bio-PCM. One process strand concerns waste substrates from used cooking oils, which is the basis of the concept. Another process strand is leachates from biological waste treatment, which are considered as an additional raw material for the production of bio-PCM and are investigated as a side strand. The side strand is used to optimize the subsequent bio-PCM properties.