Periodic Reporting for period 3 - VAMOS (Value added materials from organic waste sugars)
Reporting period: 2022-03-01 to 2023-08-31
TThe problem:
The VAMOS project showcased, at demonstration scale, the feasibility of producing and valorising second-generation sugars derived from municipal solid waste (MSW). MSW is composed of either mixed domestic residual waste or waste rejected from sorting and recycling processes. Even after recycling, MSW contains significant quantities of paper and card-based materials from which second-generation sugars can be produced.
Sugar is one of the most essential raw materials for industrial bioprocessing supply chains. Currently, the sector relies on first-generation sugar from agricultural biomass such as sugar cane or sugar beet. However, this means the supply chain depends on crops that often have a high environmental and social impact and are subject to fluctuations in supply and cost. Second-generation sugars can overcome some of these issues, although do present their own challenges such as higher dilution and lower purity rates.
The VAMOS project will produce second generation sugars from waste. The sugar was used for the production of sugar as a chemical for formulations, and as a fermentation feedstock for the production of lactic acid and subsequent PLA.
The outcomes were:
Reduced levels of waste being sent to landfill
Reduced amount of suitable food producing land diverted to first generation sugar production
Economically viable second generation sugar
Sugar tested in two different product lines to prove its commercial viability within manufacturing
Business plan developed for next steps and commercialisation
Reduced environmental footprint for sugar
Reduced environmental plastic pollution levels
Supporting a reduction in the current high price of bio-based materials
The VAMOS project showcased, at demonstration scale, the feasibility of producing and valorising second-generation sugars derived from municipal solid waste (MSW). MSW is composed of either mixed domestic residual waste or waste rejected from sorting and recycling processes. Even after recycling, MSW contains significant quantities of paper and card-based materials from which second-generation sugars can be produced.
Sugar is one of the most essential raw materials for industrial bioprocessing supply chains. Currently, the sector relies on first-generation sugar from agricultural biomass such as sugar cane or sugar beet. However, this means the supply chain depends on crops that often have a high environmental and social impact and are subject to fluctuations in supply and cost. Second-generation sugars can overcome some of these issues, although do present their own challenges such as higher dilution and lower purity rates.
The VAMOS project will produce second generation sugars from waste. The sugar was used for the production of sugar as a chemical for formulations, and as a fermentation feedstock for the production of lactic acid and subsequent PLA.
The outcomes were:
Reduced levels of waste being sent to landfill
Reduced amount of suitable food producing land diverted to first generation sugar production
Economically viable second generation sugar
Sugar tested in two different product lines to prove its commercial viability within manufacturing
Business plan developed for next steps and commercialisation
Reduced environmental footprint for sugar
Reduced environmental plastic pollution levels
Supporting a reduction in the current high price of bio-based materials
The worked performed and the key achievements made;
1. A finalised detailed design for the hydrolysis demonstration facility, coupled with mechanical installation and operation of that design
2. Updated techno-economic model for hydrolysis based on this design
3. Optimised enzyme hydrolysis process validated at demonstration scale.
4. Production of second generation sugars from waste, achieving high yields from the feedstock
5. The use of lignocellulosic pulp and PHS in product formulations/materials development, and the enhanced properties seen in these novel materials
6. Lactic acid producing organisms capable of converting 100% of the glucose in the sugar feedstock to product, and concentrations higher than 100g/L.
7. LCA of the process to sugar and to lactic acid
1. A finalised detailed design for the hydrolysis demonstration facility, coupled with mechanical installation and operation of that design
2. Updated techno-economic model for hydrolysis based on this design
3. Optimised enzyme hydrolysis process validated at demonstration scale.
4. Production of second generation sugars from waste, achieving high yields from the feedstock
5. The use of lignocellulosic pulp and PHS in product formulations/materials development, and the enhanced properties seen in these novel materials
6. Lactic acid producing organisms capable of converting 100% of the glucose in the sugar feedstock to product, and concentrations higher than 100g/L.
7. LCA of the process to sugar and to lactic acid
The beyond the state-of-the-art impacts of the project are:
Creation of a new cross sectoral interconnection by converting the organic fraction of waste into bio-based products
Development of new value chains for second generation sugars, assessing the feasibility and potential in technical, economic and environmental terms
Creation of a range of bio-based products, assessing their properties and financial viability
Demonstration and establishment of financial opportunities for recovering lignocellulose from MSW and increasing the value of the material
Specifically this includes;
• Optimised process design to maximise the production of MSW-derived sugars at a minimised cost. No commercial plant currently exists, and so this is a state-of-the-art design
• Understanding of the key economic sensitives of the process
• New enzyme formulations which improve on the current state-of-the-art yields/costs of sugar production
• Production of second-generation sugars from waste
• Production of lactic acid from sugars
• A state-of-the-art organism for the production of waste derived lactic acid at high concentrations
• The ability to use pulp in the production of a laminated composite materials; giving these potential products increased strength and flexibility
• The ability to used post hydrolysis solids (PHS) in epoxy resin formulations; giving the formulations enhanced physical properties (paste like behaviour and solvent resistance) and increase biobased content
• Injection moulded composites of PLA/recovered Fibre showcasing enhanced biodegradability for agricultural type applications
• Reduced GHG emissions for sugar production as compared to sugar from Maize
Creation of a new cross sectoral interconnection by converting the organic fraction of waste into bio-based products
Development of new value chains for second generation sugars, assessing the feasibility and potential in technical, economic and environmental terms
Creation of a range of bio-based products, assessing their properties and financial viability
Demonstration and establishment of financial opportunities for recovering lignocellulose from MSW and increasing the value of the material
Specifically this includes;
• Optimised process design to maximise the production of MSW-derived sugars at a minimised cost. No commercial plant currently exists, and so this is a state-of-the-art design
• Understanding of the key economic sensitives of the process
• New enzyme formulations which improve on the current state-of-the-art yields/costs of sugar production
• Production of second-generation sugars from waste
• Production of lactic acid from sugars
• A state-of-the-art organism for the production of waste derived lactic acid at high concentrations
• The ability to use pulp in the production of a laminated composite materials; giving these potential products increased strength and flexibility
• The ability to used post hydrolysis solids (PHS) in epoxy resin formulations; giving the formulations enhanced physical properties (paste like behaviour and solvent resistance) and increase biobased content
• Injection moulded composites of PLA/recovered Fibre showcasing enhanced biodegradability for agricultural type applications
• Reduced GHG emissions for sugar production as compared to sugar from Maize