From turning CO₂ into jet fuel to producing biofuels from waste, Dr. Angelos Lappas is helping drive catalytic innovation toward a low-carbon future. He is Research Director at the Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute (CPERI), part of the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), one of Greece’s largest research organizations. At CERTH, he leads pioneering work on sustainable fuels and advanced catalytic processes. Ahead of his plenary at CSChE 2025 in Montréal, he spoke with the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) about the challenges and opportunities of transforming the energy landscape.
CIC: Thank you for speaking with us. Can you tell us about your work and how you entered chemical engineering?
Dr. Angelos Lappas: I’m Research Director at CPERI, part of CERTH, one of Greece’s largest research centers. I lead the Laboratory of Environmental Fuels/Biofuels and Hydrocarbons, focusing on catalytic reaction engineering for refining and biorefining, developing new fuels, biofuels, e-fuels, and biochemicals.
In high school, I was drawn to chemistry for the “magic” of reactions. My teacher suggested chemical engineering instead, noting the broader opportunities and the chance to apply chemistry in industrial environments. That advice introduced me to the dynamic world of Research & Development, where science meets real-world impact.
CIC: What are the biggest challenges of leading such a large research team?
Dr. Lappas: Securing funding is the most significant challenge. Although CPERI is governmental, only about 10% of our expenses are covered by the state. The other 90% must come from competitive EU projects, national funds, or industrial partnerships. With complex experimental facilities, we need [a] permanent expert, not just PhD students, to sustain progress.
Still, the rewards are clear. When industry adopts our solutions or we expand our technology portfolio, it validates the hard work. Recognition from peers and industry partners motivates us to keep pushing forward.
CIC: Your lab has unique multi-scale equipment. How do you maximize its potential?
Dr. Lappas: We keep our facilities running through a steady stream of projects. Having micro, medium, and pilot-scale units gives us enormous flexibility. The challenge is balance: EU projects encourage high-risk, innovative research, while industrial collaborations demand immediate solutions. Since EU grants have success rates below 10%, strong ties with industry are essential to maintain both discovery and application.
CIC: Can you share an example where your work significantly improved a fuel process?
Dr. Lappas: One success is predicting fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst performance in industrial settings using lab data. This lets us recommend the best FCC catalysts for specific refinery needs—a critical process since FCC is central to refining.
We also developed a two-stage cascade process for biofuel production. By combining thermal pyrolysis with catalytic upgrading, we can turn biomass and waste, like plastics or tires into fuels, avoiding deactivation issues that plague single-step processes.
CIC: Looking ahead, what plant-based or low-carbon fuel technologies excite you most?
Dr. Lappas: Several. Direct one-step CO₂ conversion to aviation fuel via methanol or Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, olefin oligomerization for sustainable aviation fuel, and advanced two-stage pyrolysis. I’m particularly intrigued by pairing electrification with process intensification, as well as 3D-printed catalysts. The latter allows complex geometries that improve mass and heat transfer, potentially integrating reactors and catalysts into multifunctional units.
CIC: Catalysts can wear out over time. How does your research extend their lifespan?
Dr. Lappas: We develop accelerated deactivation methods that mimic years of industrial use in hours or days. This helps us pinpoint poisons, design regeneration protocols, and create more robust catalysts. Ultimately, we aim for catalysts with greater hydrothermal stability or tolerance to specific contaminants, ensuring longer lifespans in demanding environments.
CIC: What are the main hurdles in scaling CO₂ conversion to useful products?
Dr. Lappas: Three stand out. First, CO₂ is very stable, so chemical reduction requires novel catalysts active at lower temperatures. Second, catalysts must withstand impurities in industrial flue gases, reducing the need for costly purification. Third, we need intensified processes to overcome thermodynamic limits and achieve high conversions.
CIC: What are your key research objectives for the coming years?
Dr. Lappas: Three priorities guide us: advancing one-step catalytic CO₂ valorization to jet fuels; producing hydrogen and graphene via methane pyrolysis with molten salts; and developing slurry reactor technology for upgrading heavy bio-liquids into drop-in fuels. Each target supports a transition to cleaner energy.
CIC: Finally, what excites you about CSChE 2025 in Montréal?
Dr. Lappas: Canadian universities and research organizations are consistently at the forefront of chemical engineering. This conference is an excellent opportunity to learn about ongoing Canadian research and explore collaborations with colleagues there.
Hear more from Dr. Lappas during his plenary lecture at CSChE 2025 in Montréal, October 5–7. Join us to see how catalytic breakthroughs are reshaping the future of sustainable fuels.