Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Cost-effective prOdUction of ligNin plaTform chemicaLs Extending the biobaSed chemicalS portfolio

Objective

Europe´s ambitious sustainability and climate goals are heavily relying on the transition from fossil-based to bio-based chemical building blocks. Lignin as abundant natural resource has substantial potential to serve as starting material for the production of functionalized aromatic compounds. Only 1-2% of the lignin annual production is used in chemical conversion. Critical challenge to overcome is the heterogeneous and complex nature hampering the full exploitation of isolated lignins. To address this challenge, COUNTLESS will demonstrate the first catalytic hydrogenolysis process operated in continuous mode at industrially relevant scale for the cost-effective and sustainable production of lignin-based platform chemicals. COUNTLESS will demonstrate the applicability and cost-effectiveness of lignin-based platform chemicals in a variety of end-use cases from bulk to specialty applications.
This project is formed by key partners covering the whole value chain including feedstock suppliers, technology development experts, well-recognized industry players in the respective application fields, experts in dissemination, communication and exploitation, and experts in integrated sustainability, environmental, and techno-economic assessments. Revenue streams will result from licensing agreements and an increase in turnover and margin for COUNTLESS suppliers and application partners. We anticipate a positive NPV and IRR in 15 years of operation. COUNTLESS contributes directly to the CBE-JU SIRA and KPIs through the increased use of sustainably sourced biomass, reduction of GHG emissions through improvements in the pilot infrastructure (>50% reduction in GHG emissions and 85% using fully renewable supply) and the development of bio-based high-value products substituting current fossil-based compounds.

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

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.

HORIZON-JU-IA - HORIZON JU Innovation Actions

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

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

(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-CBE-2022

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK N.V.
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.

€ 1 784 346,00
Address
BOERETANG 200
2400 Mol
Belgium

See on map

Region
Vlaams Gewest Prov. Antwerpen Arr. Turnhout
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
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.

€ 2 118 173,75

Participants (11)

Partners (1)

My booklet 0 0