{"id":348,"date":"2023-01-13T12:31:03","date_gmt":"2023-01-13T17:31:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research-multi-dev.utk.edu\/energy-dev\/?page_id=348"},"modified":"2026-06-12T16:27:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T20:27:20","slug":"circular-bioeconomy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.utk.edu\/iee\/research-areas\/circular-bioeconomy\/","title":{"rendered":"Circular Bioeconomy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n

Circular Bioeconomy<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Prioritizing renewable resources and waste prevention<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Nick<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Hands<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Close<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

We envision a future in which nothing is wasted and the sustainability of carbon-friendly bio-based manufacturing replaces petroleum as a primary driver for a thriving economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UT faculty and students are developing novel processes to make fuels, materials, and other bio-based products from renewable plant materials. This research is disrupting the predominant \u201ctake, make, waste\u201d paradigm to deliver innovative solutions that reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions while cultivating valuable new opportunities for US agriculture, forestry, and business. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Water<\/span>
\n

<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

UT’s Approach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

UT faculty seek to improve environmental sustainability, economic prosperity, and performance and integration of circular bioeconomy\u2013based processes at each stage of the manufacturing supply chain. For example, faculty in the Center for Renewable Carbon<\/a> work with industry partners to evaluate biochar<\/a>\u2014a byproduct of biofuel production\u2014as a carbon-sequestering technology that aims to reduce the carbon intensity <\/a>of advanced manufacturing processes.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UT\u2019s focus on biomass-to-value supply chain is also supporting our researchers in the discovery of the fundamental principles behind the conversion of plant matter using heat<\/a> and biocatalysts.<\/a> The ultimate goal of this pioneering research is realizing the potential of new biorefining processes<\/a> to not only produce sustainable fuels but also generate new processes and technologies for high-value products such as those used in automotive manufacturing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a focus on sustainable manufacturing, research teams across the university are focused on the deployment of low-carbon biofuels<\/a> and biobased materials, empowering a breadth of industries to reduce their fossil-based fuels and materials. In this area, UT faculty are developing and enhancing sustainable polymers<\/a>, polymer composites<\/a>, carbon fiber composites<\/a>, and paper fiber composites<\/a> derived from lignin and other plant components. As a next step in these technologies, UT is working to transform plant-derived lignin into nanostructured activated carbon for energy storage applications including supercapacitors<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our partnerships with Oak Ridge National Laboratory are ensuring the delivery of new technologies for the bioeconomy of tomorrow. The UT\u2013Oak Ridge Innovation Institute has committed $20 million to expand UT and ORNL\u2019s robust circular bioeconomy research. Together we are working with Tennessee\u2019s agriculture and automotive industries to improve biomass cultivation; develop cost-effective bioderived products designed to be repaired, reused, recycled, composted, and finally combusted for energy; and design metrics to quantify circular systems\u2019 social, environmental, and economic value. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

When you combine UT\u2019s strengths in this space, Tennessee\u2019s mobility and biomass industries, and collaboration with ORNL, we are pushing the limits of science forward.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

Nicole Labb\u00e9, Professor of Biomass Chemistry and Director of the Center for Renewable Carbon<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Running<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"PhD<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

UT, ORNL Are Shaping the Circular Bioeconomy in Tennessee<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With funding from the UT\u2013Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, UT and ORNL researchers are working with Tennessee\u2019s agriculture and automotive industries to advance the circular bioeconomy.

Learn about this long-term initiative.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"Nicole<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Research Project Co-Led by UT Among Finalists in NSF Regional Innovation Engines Program<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In September 2025, the National Science Foundation announced that the BRIDGES proposal, developed by HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in collaboration with University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Auburn University, had reached the final stage of competition in the Regional Innovations Engines Program and remains under consideration for an award totaling up to $160 million.

Read about the BRIDGES proposal.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"An<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Research Shows Warming Impact on Soil Ecosystem<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Long-term ecosystem warming changes not only plants but the fungi in the soil below, according to a new study including researchers from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.\u00a0


Learn more about the research’s findings<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"Angel<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Palomino\u2019s Research Investigates Biopolymer Interactions with Soil<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Angel Palomino, an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is trying to advance the research through a collaborative\u00a0National Science Foundation\u00a0grant that investigates biopolymer-mineral surface interaction mechanisms.

Learn about Palomino’s research.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"close<\/span>
\n

<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Facilities & Initiatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Research across the circular bioeconomy space requires a wide breadth of facilities, equipment, and expertise to tackle global challenges requiring the convergence of genomics, chemistry, agriculture, and manufacturing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n