Project description
A game-changer for functional and reliable cellulose production
Finding functional and reliable materials has been a challenge, especially with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), which is often difficult and expensive to produce. The EU-funded WOODCELL project aims to change that. Using Fibenol’s SWEETWOODS facility, WOODCELL will create MCC from woody biomass in a more sustainable and efficient way than traditional methods. Their process valorises raw material with 90% efficiency, uses less energy, and produces a more stable product. By 2027, WOODCELL plans to build a biorefinery capable of producing 4,000 tonnes per year, increasing to 20,000 tonnes annually by 2030. This new approach will open up global markets and lead to at least five new bio-based products in collaboration with companies like DS Smith, Coatex, and Skeleton Technologies.
Objective
WOODCELL aims to further build on Fibenol’s unique SWEETWOODS production facility to enable production of micro-scale specialty Micro-crystalline Cellulose (MCC) from woody biomass sources, that is significantly more affordable than cellulose materials with comparable properties. WOODCELL is highly efficient (95% Vs 40-50% for alternative commercial processes) with energy usage ~3 times lower. In addition, WOODCELL MCC is produced at high solids content (18-20% before drying) and is colloidally stable, overcoming the usual negative effects of dewatering during processing. WOODCELL will achieve competitive price (even against other abundant chemicals). This, combined with the unique properties will enable WOODCELL to unlock new markets globally.
WOODCELL will design and build a sustainable, cost-effective, first-of-a-kind, flagship MCC biorefinery producing 4 kt/y by 2029. The modular design, combined with existing IP and freedom to operate will be key factors to enabling the rapid commercial exploitation and replication. Following the successful build and operation of the WOODCELL MCC plant, WOODCELL will move into a replication phase and build a new MCC production facility capable of producing 20 kt/y by 2030.
Based on these unique MCCs, WOODCELL will develop the whole value chain from the feedstock supply to processing and production steps in order to create the basis for at least 5 new bio-based value chains and create at least 5 new consumer products produced from bio-based materials, based on existing commercially viable products from out industrial partners: DS Smith a multinational packaging business, Coatex a multinational manufacturer of specialty materials and Skeleton Technologies is a hi-tech company that develop energy storage solutions.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- agricultural sciences agricultural biotechnology biomass
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries forestry
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.6 - Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.6.6 - Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy
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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.
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.
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
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023
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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.
13522 TALLINN
Estonia
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.