PERSTORP AB

Their core work

Perstorp AB is a major Swedish specialty chemicals company that produces aldehydes, acids, and polyols used across coatings, plastics, and engineered fluids. In H2020, they contributed industrial chemistry expertise to projects converting biomass and fossil feedstocks into higher-value chemicals through electrochemical and catalytic processes. Their role centers on validating lab-scale green chemistry innovations against real industrial requirements — testing whether bio-based and electrochemical routes can replace conventional petrochemical production at scale.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Perstorp's earliest H2020 engagement (LIBERATE, 2018) focused on lignin biorefinery via electrochemical flow reactors — a direct extension of their interest in bio-based chemical feedstocks. By 2019, they broadened into zeolite catalysis for petrochemical transformations (BIZEOLCAT) and platform-level electrochemical conversion (PERFORM). The shift suggests a move from a single biomass valorization project toward a wider portfolio of sustainable chemistry routes, both bio-based and fossil-derived.

Perstorp is investing in multiple green chemistry pathways — electrochemical and catalytic — to diversify its feedstock base away from conventional petrochemicals.

How they like to work

Perstorp joins consortia exclusively as a participant, never as coordinator, which is typical for large industrial companies contributing application knowledge and validation infrastructure rather than leading research agendas. With 40 unique partners across 12 countries in just 3 projects, they work in sizable European consortia. Their role is that of an industrial end-user who grounds academic research in commercial reality.

Despite only 3 projects, Perstorp has built connections with 40 partners across 12 countries, reflecting participation in large multi-partner consortia. Their network spans a broad European footprint typical of Innovation Actions and Research & Innovation Actions in the chemicals sector.

What sets them apart

Perstorp brings something rare to research consortia: they are a large-scale specialty chemicals manufacturer willing to test and validate sustainable process innovations in an industrial context. Unlike university labs or research institutes, they can assess whether a new electrochemical or catalytic route actually works at production scale and meets market specifications. For consortium builders, having Perstorp on board signals industrial relevance and a credible path from lab to market.

Highlights from their portfolio

• LIBERATE
  Largest funding (EUR 410,725) and longest duration (2018-2023), focused on the commercially promising intersection of lignin waste streams and electrochemical flow processing.
• BIZEOLCAT
  Unusual for Perstorp — a move into zeolite catalysis and petrochemical transformations, suggesting strategic interest in diversifying beyond bio-based routes.
• PERFORM
  Platform-level electrochemical conversion project with open access pilot ambitions, indicating Perstorp's interest in shared infrastructure for sustainable chemistry.