The Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) implements customer-oriented research projects and develops innovative products and processes. The multidisciplinary business unit Separation and Conversion Technology (SCT) has organized its strategic research program around the theme ‘Sustainable Chemistry’. The focus on innovation for sustainable chemistry is in three domains, i.e. process intensification, sustainable use of raw materials and renewable, bio-based chemicals. SCT will intensify the sugar ester as well as alkylglycoside enzymatic synthesis process by removing the (co)product as well as by recycling the used solvents. Herefor mainly membrane based filtration technologies will be used.