Tomorrow's Chemical Technologies Lab
We develop catalytic technologies that unlock more value from biomass, lignin, cellulose, plastics, and composite waste — advancing sustainable routes to chemicals, fuels, and materials.
Led by Dr Roberto Rinaldi, Associate Professor in Applied Chemistry, Imperial College London.
The chemical industry must move beyond extraction-and-disposal models. Our research develops catalytic strategies that recover, preserve, and upgrade value from renewable and underused resources — connecting fundamental chemistry with real industrial impact.
From lignocellulosic biomass to composite waste, we design smarter ways to deconstruct, stabilise, and transform complex matter into chemicals, fuels, and advanced materials.
Converting lignocellulosic biomass into high-value chemicals, platform molecules, and sustainable materials.
Designing catalytic systems that close material loops — from plastic waste to polymer precursors and regenerated feedstocks.
Translating catalytic insight into practical routes for bio-based aromatics, sustainable aviation fuel precursors, and next-generation materials.
Connecting catalysis, reaction engineering, solvent effects, and materials transformation to address the most pressing challenges in sustainable chemistry.
Catalytic approaches that prioritise early-stage lignin stabilisation and valorisation — converting plant biomass into better-defined chemical intermediates. A field-defining contribution from the group.
Biomass · LigninTurning underused biomass fractions into platform molecules and fine chemicals — moving beyond fossil-derived feedstocks through targeted catalytic design.
Catalysis · CelluloseOpening new routes for biomass deconstruction and conversion through mechanocatalysis — with emphasis on efficiency, selectivity, and mechanistic insight.
MechanochemistryUnderstanding how solvents and reaction media shape reactivity and product outcomes — enabling more effective biomass transformation and catalytic upgrading.
Reaction DesignChemical routes to recycle plastics and composites, regenerating useful raw materials from difficult waste streams to support circular material systems.
Circular EconomyFrom fine chemicals to sustainable aviation fuel precursors and advanced materials — translating catalytic science into practical industrial relevance.
Translation · ApplicationAssociate Professor in Applied Chemistry at Imperial College London, Roberto leads the Tomorrow's Chemical Technologies Lab. His research centres on heterogeneous catalysis and sustainable chemistry, with defining contributions to lignin-first biorefining and the catalytic valorisation of plant biomass.
Born in Brazil, Roberto completed his PhD at the University of Campinas before joining the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research in Germany, where he established his own group following the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award. He joined Imperial in 2015 and was promoted to Reader in 2018.
Major grants include the ERC Consolidator Grant LIGNINFIRST. Honours include the DECHEMA Willi-Keim Award and Fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Roberto serves on the editorial boards of npj Materials Sustainability, Green Chemistry, Sustainable Chemistry, and ChemCatChem.
Profiles
Recognition
We welcome collaborations with academic groups, industry partners, funding consortia, and innovation programmes at the intersection of catalysis, biomass utilisation, recycling, and sustainable manufacturing.
Joint projects, co-supervision, visiting researcher programmes, and co-authorship on fundamental and translational questions in catalysis and sustainable chemistry.
Technology development, proof-of-concept studies, and collaborative R&D with companies in chemicals, energy, materials, and sustainability sectors.
We engage with EU Horizon, EPSRC consortia, and innovation partnerships where our expertise in catalysis and biomass processing adds clear scientific value.
Visiting scientists, exchange students, and sabbatical researchers working across catalytic science and sustainable chemistry applications are always welcome.
We welcome enquiries from outstanding researchers at all career stages — whether funded, self-funded, or supported by an external fellowship.
Exceptional candidates with strong backgrounds in chemistry or chemical engineering. Funded and self-funded positions are both considered, including internationally-supported applicants.
Enquire about PhD positions →Expertise in heterogeneous catalysis, organic chemistry, or biomass valorisation. Candidates with independent fellowships or external funding are particularly encouraged.
Discuss postdoc opportunities →Visiting scientists, exchange students, and sabbatical researchers whose work intersects with catalysis, circular chemistry, or sustainable materials are warmly invited.
Enquire as a visiting researcher →The Tomorrow's Chemical Technologies Lab at Imperial College London is equipped for the full spectrum of catalytic and biomass chemistry research — from fundamental mechanistic investigation to proof-of-concept scale-up.
Our infrastructure supports catalytic synthesis and screening, mechanocatalytic processing, advanced characterisation, and reaction engineering — housed within Imperial's Department of Chemical Engineering in South Kensington.
ACS Catalysis
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
ChemSusChem
A novel stabilisation strategy for lignin fragments during biomass deconstruction, with significant implications for biorefinery design.
Presenting the group's latest work on mechanocatalysis and solvent-free biomass processing strategies in Vienna.
The group joins a European consortium developing catalytic routes for recovery of carbon fibre and matrix materials from thermoset composites.
Get in touch
Open to conversations that can accelerate scientific progress and real-world impact in sustainable chemistry.