Radboud chemists are working with companies and robots on the transition from oil-based to bio-based materials - Robohub

Researchers at Radboud University are advancing the transition from fossil-based to bio-based chemical products—such as medicines, plastics, soaps, and paints—by leveraging robots and artificial intelligence to accelerate discovery and optimization. This transition is complex because bio-based raw materials must replace fossil ones without compromising product quality, and the behavior of mixtures of molecules is highly unpredictable due to non-additive chemical interactions. Millions of possible molecular interactions exist among the tens of thousands of components used in various products, making experimental study alone impractical. To address this, the team is developing predictive models trained on extensive experimental data collected via robotic systems. Within the National Growth Fund’s Big Chemistry program, three Radboud-led projects recently received grants to focus on bio-based materials for paints, soaps, and polymers. Peter Korevaar is working with Van Wijhe Verf to develop bio-based paints that meet stringent performance criteria such as stability, viscosity, and water resistance. Mathijs Mabesoone collaborates with Croda International to