Summary
Bioprocesses are inherently low (volumetric) productivity systems, when compared to chemical processes, which result in voluminous process equipment. This low productivity is mainly caused by the usually low biocatalyst concentrations, by inhibition by products or substrates and by degradation of the products in the reactor or during the downstream processing. Another inherent problem is the high degree of purification which is required for some of the (pharmaceutical) bioproducts. This requires a multi-step downstream processing with an inevitably low overall product yield. The research and industrial efforts in the development of bioprocesses should be directed at those which are efficient in a technological, economic and environmental sense. The PIBE Programme supports this aim by the stimulation of interdisciplinary communication and transfer of expertise over the borders of the technical and biological sciences.
Duration
Three years, prolonged for a further three years (1992 to 1997)
