Bioreactive separation technology: a retrospective and perspective

Waluga, Thomas; Ohde, Daniel; Ansorge-Schumacher, Marion; Benfer, Regina; Bluemke, Wilfried; Briesen, Heiko; Burger, Jakob; Drews, Anja; Gescher, Johannes; Glasmacher-Remberg, Christiane; Grünewald, Marcus; Hansen, Niels; Held, Christoph; Holtmann, Dirk; Kara, Selin; Langermann, Jan von; Liese, Andreas; Magnus, Jørgen; Pelzer, Alexander; Pleiss, Jürgen

doi:https://doi.org/10.15480/882.16990

Bioreactive separation technology: a retrospective and perspective

Citation Link: https://doi.org/10.15480/882.16990

Basic Data Publication

Publikationstyp

Review Article

Date Issued

2026-03-28

Sprache

English

TORE-DOI

10.15480/882.16990

TORE-URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11420/62746

Publisher Version

Journal

Chemical engineering and processing

Volume

224

Article Number

110787

Citation

Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification 224: 110787 (2026)

Publisher DOI

10.1016/j.cep.2026.110787

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-105034843698

Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

Biocatalysis, using enzymes or whole cells, offers high selectivity under mild conditions, but its broader application is often hindered by slow kinetics, equilibrium limitations, product inhibition and the processing of dilute streams in the presence of enzymes and cells. Bioreactive separation, defined as the simultaneous process of biocatalysis and separation, provides a powerful concept to overcome these barriers and therefore offers the potential of superiority over conventional processes. The current retro- and perspective paper, which is the result of an interdisciplinary workshop with academic and industry experts from the areas of biotechnology, fluid separations and process systems engineering, provides a focussed review, paired with a distinct novel definition of bioreactive separations that links to multifunctional reactors in chemical engineering and in situ product removal in biocatalysis. By establishing a common framework, this definition connects different research areas and enables systematic development. The current status of bioreactive separation processes is evaluated using SWOT analyses to identify key potentials and challenges. Based on this, a vision for 2040 is outlined, highlighting the need for advances in integration strategies, biocatalyst design, modelling and simulation, and applied research. Overall, a coordinated progress in these areas can significantly enhance the scalability and sustainability of bioprocessing.

Content

Subjects

Biocatalysis

In situ product removal

Process intensification

Reactive separation

DDC Class

572: Biochemistry

Funding References

Funding(s)

Scoping Workshop "Synergien in der Bioreaktiven Trenntechnik: Integration von Biokatalyse, Trenntechnik und Systemverfahrenstechnik zur Erreichung nachhaltiger Produktionsprozesse.

Projekt DEAL