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Valuable aromatics from stabilized lignins: towards an optimal and feasible continuous operation

Project description

A sustainable route to valuable aromatics products

Biomass materials are receiving increased attention as a renewable, economical and abundant alternative to fossil resources for producing various value-added products. Switzerland-based company Bloom Biorenewables is maximising the utilisation of non-edible biomass using a novel strategy that prevents undesired degradation of the most underutilised part of the plant during biorefining. Pure fractions are stabilised and upgraded to products such as fragrances, textile fibres and bioplastics. Despite achieving a ten-fold yield increase compared to current solutions, lignin depolymerisation hinders scale-up of the biorefining process. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the LIGFLOW project plans to develop an industry-compatible lignin depolymerisation process that should result in more profitable and sustainable production routes for biomass-derived aromatics.

Objective

Environmental concerns linked to society’s dependence on fossil resources have spurred an unprecedented search for sustainable processes, not only for energy but also for manufacturing chemicals and materials. Unfortunately, the low efficiency of emerging technologies based on renewable resources often hinders their profitability. Bloom Biorenewables Ltd maximizes the utilization of non-edible biomass using a novel stabilization strategy that prevents undesired degradation pathways during bio-refining. Pure fractions are stabilized, isolated and upgraded to products such as fragrances, textile fibres or bio-plastics. With a 10-fold yield increase compared to current solutions, lignin applications can drive rather than hinder the process’s techno-economic feasibility. Yet, catalytic lignin depolymerisation for the production of high value molecules represents the main bottleneck for scale-up and is currently limiting the company’s ability to respond to the increasing demand for lignin products. LIGFLOW will develop an industry-compatible lignin depolymerisation process that paves the way for a continuous operation demonstrator. The main objectives are: 1) Transfer from batch to flow reactor; 2) Enable solvent recycling >90% and perform in situ catalyst regeneration; 3) Isolate and purify targeted products for distribution to key industrial partners; 4) Perform process modelling and life cycle assessment to achieve a full techno-economic and sustainability analysis of the resulting process. LIGFLOW’s results will unlock more profitable and sustainable production routes for biomass-derived aromatics. LIGFLOW also aligns with the MSCA Work Programme by building powerful and lasting synergies between the applicant’s expertise (lignin chemistry, flow reactors) and the host company (disruptive biomass upgrading technologies). Together with the company, the applicant will develop scientific, business and leadership skills to jumpstart her career in the bio-based industry.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020

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Coordinator

BLOOM BIORENEWABLES SA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 203 149,44
Address
ROUTE DE L'ANCIENNE PAPETERIE 106
1723 Marly
Switzerland

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Espace Mittelland Fribourg / Freiburg
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 203 149,44
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