2/25/2015 Newprocessforproducingsugarfromsugarbeet|TNO

https://www.tno.nl/en/collaboration/patentsandlicenses/licensingopportunities/newprocessforproducingsugarfromsugarbeet/ 1/3

NEW PROCESS FORPRODUCING SUGARFROM SUGAR BEETTNO has developed a revolutionary concept for the 'sugar factory of

the future'. TNO's separation technology makes it possible to

increase the sugar yield from raw sugar beets by ten per cent and to

reduce the costs of this large-scale extraction process.

Conventional processes for sugar extraction are based on refining

raw sugar beet juice, in a process of eliminating all the impurities

until only crystallized sugar remains. The new concept developed

by TNO turns this process on its head: only sugar molecules are

extracted from the beet juice, leaving other juice components

where they are.

TNO's separation technology is based on conducting

the raw juice through a bed of small particles. At

temperatures of about 35 degrees Celsius, the sugar

molecules selectively attach to the small particles.

The sugar molecules are released from these

particles when the temperature is raised to 90

degrees Celsius. The development started with a

2/25/2015 Newprocessforproducingsugarfromsugarbeet|TNO

https://www.tno.nl/en/collaboration/patentsandlicenses/licensingopportunities/newprocessforproducingsugarfromsugarbeet/ 2/3

successful 'proof of principle'. Further stages of the project include a

detailed economic analysis and upgrading the process from laboratory

scale to the kind of bulk production that is common within the sugar

industry.

APPLICATIONS

TECHNICAL SUMMARYThe technology makes use of fluid bed separation technology and uses

porous absorbents having unsaturated hydrocarbon groups exposed on

its (internal) surface. At temperatures of about 35 degrees Celsius, the

sugar molecules selectively attach to absorbent particles. The sugar

molecules are released from these particles when the temperature is

raised to 90 degrees Celsius.

Sugar production

Separation technology

Removal of sugars from fruit juices

LICENSE - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

WO2006088360Method of extracting sugar from sugar juice

LICENSE - STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT

proof-of-concept

LICENSE - PROPOSAL

We use cookies to enhance your experience

2/25/2015 Newprocessforproducingsugarfromsugarbeet|TNO

https://www.tno.nl/en/collaboration/patentsandlicenses/licensingopportunities/newprocessforproducingsugarfromsugarbeet/ 3/3

licensing opportunity and research collaboration

LICENSE - TNO REFERENCE NUMBER

IP2009046