BIOMASS VALORIZATION FOR SUSTAINABLE AND HIGH QUALITY FIBER MATERIALS

Project Information

Bio-LUSH

Grant agreement ID: 101112476

DOI

10.3030/101112476

EC signature date 26 April 2023

Start date 1 May 2023

End date 30 April 2027

Funded under

• Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Total cost

€ 4 479 506,25

EU contribution

€ 4 479 506,25

Coordinated by

STOCKHOLMS UNIVERSITET
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Bio-LUSH (BIOMASS VALORIZATION FOR SUSTAINABLE AND HIGH QUALITY FIBER MATERIALS)

Reporting period: 2023-05-01 to 2024-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Bio-LUSH addresses a growing need and demand to utilize underexploited biomass feedstocks for sustainable and high-quality fibre extraction. Within the project, we will establish innovative processes for optimal biomass refining and fibrillation to nanoscale to convert obtained sustainable fibres into functional biobased materials. Along with hemp hurd and forest residues, selection of other green underexplored biomass feedstocks (nettle and seagrasses) was based on availability in Europe as well as ecological benefits such as utilization of marginal lands, biodiversity protection and without competing with food production. Also, traditional breeding through
crosses will be used to improve the agronomical and fiber yield properties of the identified “novel crops”. Certification procedures and a standardization roadmap will be established in a form of nanocellulose quality index to assure effective benchmarking within the obtained (nano)fibres. Moreover, the results of advanced characterization of feedstock, fibers and biobased products will be collected in dataset to employ machine learning tools to design biobased materials based on fibres properties. We will demonstrate the biomass processing and manufacturing (both at TRL5) of biobased products such as edible packaging, antibacterial textiles and 3D printable
bio(nano)composite filaments for impact resistant car interior products. The Bio-LUSH consortium brings together actors from the entire value chain, comprised of 12 partners from 8 countries including 7 industry partners (3 SMEs, 4 LEs), who will ensure that the developed solutions will be industrially viable (environmentally, economically, socially). Bio-LUSH includes activities on enhancement of social acceptance of the materials to facilitate the route to market, which will be supported by a dedicated business plan. Integration of Agro sector/farmer communities and access to EU feedstock is ensured through advisory board member, Bast Fibre Technology.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

BioLUSH activities currently focus on - Exploitation of under-utilized feedstocks- Designing of plant cell wall for smart fibre extraction- Developemnt alternative valorization for scalable and efficient fibre extraction from biomass-Utilizing advanced characterization to correlate source with fibre properties and product performance- Validating sustainability, safety and recyclability across the value chain. During the first 18M, within the project, we have successfully evaluated and screened poplar species for use in BioLUSH . A novel ‘BioLUSH process’ for optimal biomass refining and fibrillation to nanoscale with focus on aspen wood was developed. Two grades of fibrillated cellulose fibers were extracted from the Bio-LUSH pulp: ligno-micro/nanofibrillated cellulose (L-M/NFC) and cellulose nanofibers (CNF). Hemp residues in the form of short fibers and Hurd ascaris byproduct of hemp fiber production was identified and is ready for use by BioLUSH partners. The BioLUSH process is now being extended to poplar, Hemp residues, and native nettle. Cell wall tuning of Poplar, nettle and seagrass is progressing fact and will be used for fiber extraction under RP2. The conversion obtained sustainable fibres into functional biobased materials is under progress. Certification procedures and a standardization roadmap is being developed in a form of nanocellulose quality index to assure effective benchmarking of the obtained (nano)fibres. Moreover, the results of advanced characterization of feedstock, fibers and biobased products is being collected in a structured manner with an aim to establish a dataset to employ machine learning tools to design biobased materials based on fibres properties. We aim to demonstrate the biomass processing and manufacturing (both at TRL5) of biobased products such as edible packaging, antibacterial textiles and 3D printable bio(nano)composite filaments for impact resistant car interior products. BioLUSH project is progressing towards replacing unsustainable use of the finite biomass supply (purpose-grown biomass) with sustainably sourced, biomass from wastes and residues (from poplar forest, Hemp fibre production and )use perennial crops on marginal lands that do not compete with land use for food production (nettle, Seagrass)

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

A novel BioLUSH process for fiber(s) successfully developed for poplar and is compared with Kraft process. Patentability of this process is being evaluated currently by EMPA. Technoeconomic analysis is in progress for the BioLUSH pulp which showed favourable OpeX compared to commercial grades. The toxicity screening , quality indexing and LCA will be carried out to evaluate the commercial viability of the process and possibility to expand it to different biomass resources with in BioLUSH and beyond.

Stinging nettle (native and modified versions under evaluation) and the goal is to reintroduce native European species as a perennial crop growing on marginal lands and also
Seagrass (eel grass) is also being evaluated and is motivated by the fact that there is no competition with land use and low cell wall lignin but being and user explored and studied the biomass sustainability assessment is very crucial.