Bioreactive separation technology: A retrospective and perspective

Biocatalysis, using enzymes or whole cells, offers high selectivity under mild conditions, but its broader application is often hindered by slow kinetics, equilibrium limitations, product inhibition and the processing of dilute streams in the presence of enzymes and cells. Bioreactive separation, defined as the simultaneous process of biocatalysis and separation, provides a powerful concept to overcome these barriers and therefore offers the potential of superiority over conventional processes. The current retro- and perspective paper, which is the result of an interdisciplinary workshop with academic and industry experts from the areas of biotechnology, fluid separations and process systems engineering, provides a focussed review, paired with a distinct novel definition of bioreactive separations that links to multifunctional reactors in chemical engineering and in situ product removal in biocatalysis. By establishing a common framework, this definition connects different research areas and enables systematic development. The current status of bioreactive separation processes is evaluated using SWOT analyses to identify key potentials and challenges. Based on this, a vision for 2040 is outlined, highlighting the need for advances in integration strategies, biocatalyst design, modelling and simulation, and applied research. Overall, a coordinated progress in these areas can significantly enhance the scalability and sustainability of bioprocessing.