Climate-friendly asphalt made from elephant grass
Asphalt is made with petroleum. But it can be more sustainable. Elephant grass offers an alternative that even stores CO₂.
It seems a contradiction: asphalt and nature. However, HU alumnus Marcel van de Peppel manages to replace the most polluting component of asphalt - bitumen - with the help of nature. Through lignin, a powder that Marcel chemically extracts from elephant grass, with the help of HU students. The result: Grassphalt ®.
"We use the entire grass stem: we extract lignin, but we also cellulose - from which other products are made."
Marcel van de Peppel
Chief Technology Officer at Miscancell
While growing, elephant grass absorbs CO₂. Before it is ripe for harvesting, the grass dies, and the nutrients go back into the soil. New stems then sprout in spring.
Students help with the further development
As a Chemical Engineering alumnus, Marcel knows what students have to offer. He therefore asked them to help improve his Grassphalt.
New insights for the programmes
Hermen Bollemaat teaches students about chemical research. Working with Marcel gives him new insights.
Prepared for jobs of the future
Internships at innovative companies like Miscancell prepare students like Bjorn for jobs of the future.
Solving problems together
Students prefer to work not on theoretical, but on real problems. Supervised by lecturers, researchers and employees of organisations or companies, they also work in our laboratories with the latest, state-of-the-art equipment.
Companies, researchers, lecturers and students work together on solutions that innovate their field. The new knowledge they gain is implemented in HU degree programmes. This is how we work together on solutions and on the professionals of the future. In doing so, the company, researcher, lecturer and student each have their own indispensable role.
Credits
- Miscancell
- Chemistry Degree Programme (NL)
- Chemical Engineering Degree Programme (NL)
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory (part of the Innovation Lab) University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
Research, education and practice converge
Want to know more about working in chemistry or chemical engineering?
Hermen Bollemaat
Animal-free testing with AI
We are working together on a tool that prevents unnecessary animal suffering and better predicts whether medicines have harmful side effects.
Honest mirror
Many people find presenting daunting. With the following solution you learn to present in front of a group, without having to stand in front of a group.
