University of Barcelona technology paves the way for more sustainable chemicals for the pharmaceutical, energy and materials industries
The University of Barcelona (UB) has developed a new catalytic methodology for producing γ-valerolactone (GVL), a high-value chemical compound with applications in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biofuels, polymers and fragrances.
The technology offers a more sustainable alternative to conventional synthesis processes, which often require harsher reaction conditions, higher energy consumption or the use of fossil-based raw materials.
The innovation was developed by the research team led by Dr Elvira Gómez and Dr Albert Serrà from the Physical Chemistry Section of the Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Barcelona. The project focuses on the use of photothermal catalysis, an approach that harnesses light as an energy source to drive chemical reactions more efficiently.
γ-Valerolactone (GVL) is considered a key platform chemical in the transition towards a more sustainable, bio-based economy. It can be produced from biomass-derived feedstocks and used as a green solvent in the pharmaceutical industry, as a fuel additive, as a precursor for new polymeric materials or as an intermediate in the production of industrial chemicals.
The technology developed by the University of Barcelona enables the production of GVL using nickel-based catalysts, an affordable and scalable material, while importantly eliminating the need for hydrogen gas in the hydrogenation reaction. The process operates at lower temperatures, under lower pressure and with shorter reaction times, helping to reduce both costs and environmental impact compared with conventional methods.
One of the invention’s main advantages is its compatibility with solar-driven synthesis. The catalysts developed exhibit broad absorption across the solar spectrum, opening the door to chemical processes powered by renewable energy. This feature further strengthens the technology’s potential in the fields of green chemistry, energy efficiency and biomass waste valorisation.
“This technology enables us to move towards more sustainable chemical processes capable of transforming renewable resources into high-value industrial compounds while reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for more complex or polluting reagents,” says Dr Gómez. “Our next challenge is to further develop the process and explore its scalability in collaboration with companies interested in the production of renewable chemicals.”
The technology is currently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 and is protected by a European patent application. The Bosch i Gimpera Foundation, the University of Barcelona’s Knowledge Transfer Office, is seeking licensing or co-development opportunities with companies in the chemical, pharmaceutical, energy and materials sectors.