Combining Sani Membrane Separation Technology with Biorefinery Expertise
Meet Mihaela Tanase Opedal from RISE PFI
Mihaela is part of the NORCELlab team at RISE PFI. NORCELlab (The Norwegian Cellulose Laboratory) is a national infrastructure dedicated to cellulose research and development, hosted by RISE PFI and funded by the Research Council of Norway.
At NORCELlab, Mihaela brings her comprehensive biorefinery expertise together with the advanced Sani Membrane Separation technology to unlock new possibilities for sustainable biomaterials.
With a PhD in water and colloid chemistry and many years of experience as a project leader in biorefinery initiatives, she works both with research, collaboration and innovation projects together with industry partners. She specializes in the pretreatment and fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass, enabling the extraction of valuable components such as biopolymers, sugars, and proteins. She also focuses on valorizing side streams and by‑products, turning resources that were once considered waste into new, high‑value products and materials within a circular bioeconomy.

Membrane filtration is a separation method used to separate molecules based on size. The principle behind SANI membranes technology is a unique vibrational movement across the membrane surface which prevents particle buildup and fouling—resulting in cleaner separations, longer membrane lifetimes, and more stable processes. With this new instrument, RISE PFI significantly expands its analytical and process capabilities. The setup enables efficient separation, fractionation, and up‑concentration of proteins, polysaccharides, fibrils, and potentially even oligosaccharides—making it a highly relevant tool for both research and industry. It also offers a faster and more cost‑effective alternative to dialysis, especially when working with larger sample volumes.
Through her work, Mihaela contributes to developing solutions that make industry more efficient, circular, and competitive. She combines strong scientific expertise with practical process understanding—from upstream process engineering to downstream separation technologies and to product development—to a sustainable and circular economy.


RISE PFI is part of RISE - Research Institutes of Sweden
RISE PFI is and internationally acknowledged research institute within processes and products based on lignocellulose. RISE PFI´s focus areas are Fibre technology and fibre-based products, Biorefining and Bioenergy and Biopolymers and Biocomposites.
Contact
- Høgskoleringen 6b
- NO - 7491 Trondheim
- firmapost@rise-pfi.no
- +47 73 60 50 65
