Biomaterials research group

The biomaterials research team promotes companies and regions in the needs and opportunities of the circular economy and energy transitions and the transformation of the food system. Our research group works together with industry, regional developers and other stakeholders, promoting sustainable economic growth based on the use and processing of recyclable and renewable materials, and the development of plant-based food products. Our expertise covers e.g. material chemistry, modern food expertise and business development. We have comprehensive research and piloting infrastructures in use.
Kuva
LAB Food Pilot Plant -tuotekehitysympäristö.

The goal of the research group is to achieve an established position in the development of sustainable value chains, smart biorefinery and food system solutions, and inthe development of bio-based CO2 capture and utilization methods, as well as in national and international networks

Members of the research group

Annakaisa Elo

Chief Specialist, PhD, Adjunct Professor. Environmental biotechnology and in circular economy. Resource-efficient material use and recycling, specializing in carbon and nutrient-saving processes. Expertise in biogas, biochar, microalgae technologies, and recycled fertilizers. CO2 capture, storage, and utilization, forestry and food industry side streams.

» Linkedin 

Svetlana Butylina

Chief Specialist PhD. Environmental biotechnology and in circular economy. Resource-efficient material use and recycling, specializing in carbon and nutrient-saving processes. Expertise in biogas, biochar, microalgae technologies, and recycled fertilizers. CO2 capture, storage, and utilization, forestry and food industry side streams.

» ORCID 

Malahat Ghoreishi

D.Sc. in Economics and Business Administration. Research focuses on digitalization and circular economy, data-driven value chain in circular economy, data-driven and digitally enabled business models in circular economy. Expertise also includes sustainability reporting based on GRI standards and ESG reporting regulations.

» ORCID 

Mourad Kharbach

Chief Specialist (PhD x2) Data Science and Machine Learning with dual PhDs in Chemometrics & Data Science Approaches and Pharmaceutical Sciences/Analytical Chemistry. He specializes in AI/ML, multivariate analysis, spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, process control, process optimization, MSPC, statistics, and quality control.

» ORCID 

Saara Sammalisto

Researcher, PhD. Food scientist with a research background in grain technology at University of Helsinki. In her doctoral thesis, she investigated gluten-free oat baking (oat cultivar differences and hydrocolloids) and milling process of oats. She is willing to understand which raw material properties, oat cultivars and processing conditions are beneficial in certain oat products.

» ResearchGate

Mari Eronen

Researcher (M.Sc. in Circular Economy). Her areas of expertise include nutrient recycling and related legislation, renewable energy solutions especially in rural environments, and agroforestry. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Sustainability Science at LUT University.

» Linkedin 

Kati Mustonen

Lecturer in Environmental Technology (MSc) and PhD student focusing on utilizing side streams from the forest industry in composites. Extensive expertise in the utilization of forest industry side streams in various applications. Over 20 years of experience in the forest industry, both in factory settings and as a consultant.

Projects

BioCarbonValue

High-value carbons from agricultural biomass.

Waste4Soil

Improving food systems sustainability and soil health with food processing residues.

Hiiliketju project

HIILIKETJU-project aims to create new economic ecosystems based on BioCO2, and eventually create new, profitable business models on capturing and utilizing CO2.

CircSyst

Circular Systemic Solutions for Plastic, Packaging, Bio-Waste, and Water.

Pulina project

The high-value components of sewage sludge – this project aims to improve the cost-efficiency of recovering nutrients, organic matter, and minerals from sludge by simultaneously producing high-value end-products, such as bioplastics.

Contact info