Project description
Towards large-scale supply and market assessment of microfibrillated cellulose
The aim of the EU-funded EXILVA project is to upscale the Borregaard’s microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) process from the existing pilot plant to the full-scale flagship plant (1 000 tonnes/year). Furthermore, it will demonstrate an industrial symbiosis between the biomass/forest industry (Norway spruce) and application industries in a wide range of market segments by developing and commercialising added value (performance vs cost) products in a sustainable way. The ambition of EXILVA is to make MFC commercially available in large quantities for the first time as well as further develop the MFC market in selected segments. The main challenges besides technology, process, logistics/handling and establishment of the organisation are time to market and successful market penetration of MFC-based products.
Objective
The Exilva flagship project will consist in the upscaling of the Borregaard’s MFC process from the existing pilot plant (50-70 tons/year) to the full scale flagship plant (1000 tons/year) and demonstrate an industrial symbiosis between the biomass/forest industry (Norwegian Spruce) and application industries in a wide range of market segments by developing and commercialising added value (performances vs cost) products in a sustainable way. The ambition of the Exilva project is to make MFC commercially available on large quantities for the first time as well as develop the MFC market further in selected segments.
The grand challenges of the Exilva flagship project are twofold:
• Technology and process: related to the start-up of the flagship plant the main tasks and challenges will be testing of the new equipment, technology transfer from the pilot plant to the flagship plant, gaining operational experience, establishing the plant organization and quality control, establishing the appropriate process parameters for a stable full scale production of MFC and gaining experience with regards to logistics and handling of the MFC material.
• Market: successful market penetration of MFC based products, product performance and cost, standards and regulation.
The decision to invest in a first of a kind commercial plant is driven by business opportunities to use MFC in a wide range of market segments and applications and demonstrate that the investment in the flagship will be profitable. Borregaard has started to establish business pipelines towards different end user companies that will develop full products based on MFC formulations.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcomposites
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiological behavioural sciencesethologybiological interactions
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
- agricultural sciencesagricultural biotechnologybiomass
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.2. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.2.6.3. - Sustainable biorefineries
- H2020-EU.3.2.6.1. - Sustainable and competitive bio-based industries and supporting the development of a European bio-economy
Coordinator
1721 Sarpsborg
Norway