BEST - Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbH is a K1 Competence Centre in the Austrian COMET programme and closes the gap between academic research and industrial technology development by undertaking industry-driven applied research and development in the fields of bioenergy, the sustainable bio-based economy, and future-proof energy systems.

This competence area focuses on the core technologies of fixed-bed biomass combustion and biomass gasification. Our extensive technological expertise covers the entire range from single fireplaces and stoves to small-scale boilers and gasifiers or large biomass combustion systems.

This competence area focuses on thermal gasification and subsequent synthesis. Biomass and residuals are used as input material for gasification. The gasification process converts the feedstock into product gas, which BEST uses to produce synthetic fuels (FT diesel, FT kerosene, methanol), gaseous energy sources (hydrogen and synthetic natural gas) or chemicals.

The biotechnological conversion of biomass to energy and/or materials enables a cascading and sustainable use of resources. We develop biotechnological methods for converting residues (CO₂, wastewater, industrial and agricultural residues, digestates, manure, …) to a broad range of different products including energy carriers (gaseous or liquid), basic chemicals (alcohols, acetic acid, …), high-quality products for the chemical industry (bioplastics, pigments) or biofertilizers.

The conversion of biomass into fuels for transportation is the focal issue within our competence field of biofuels. Within this field, we strive to develop applications for novel biomass resources as well as innovative conversion technologies through biological, biotechnological and thermo-chemical processes.

This competence area focuses on bioenergy aspects involving the entire value chain, from the resource to the final product, and its market. The value chain starts with the biomass resources, which may originate from agriculture and forestry, waste management or from other sources such as algae biorefineries.

The overall goal of this Subarea is to develop advanced control and automation strategies to support the transition of our energy and resource system to an efficient, sustainable and integrated system.

The Centre’s expertise covers the development, validation and application of innovative simulation tools for developing and optimising new technologies for the energetic utilisation of a broad spectrum of biomass fuels.

Many of the projects of BEST require chemical analyses. Most of these analyses are not outsourced but carried out by the centre’s internal chemical laboratory.
A wide range of different analytical techniques is used covering the examination of biogenic raw materials, ashes, slags, deposits, dusts, sludges and condensates.