During the first reporting period, the experimental and technical basis for technology development and scaling up to TRL 6 across the entire value chain was established. More specifically the existing TRL5 fast pyrolysis plant or RISE was upgraded from to TRL 6 and integrated with hot gas filtration and a carbon capture and utilization (CCU) system. The technology development of the bio-oil upgrading focused on the development of an effective HDO catalyst by TOPSOE as well as design and on-going construction of a new and energy optimized TRL6 hydrotreating plant by VINCI. To further improve the hydrotreating sustainability, efficient and continuous biomethanation from CO2 of the HDO off-gas was demonstrated by CENER, with no observed inhibition from gas impurities. In addition, the green hydrogen production plant was designed by CERTH, and the majority of the required equipment was constructed and commissioned, to be integrated with the new hydrotreating plant upon commissioning. In parallel, the development of a mathematical model for fast pyrolysis bio-oil hydrotreatment and the design of the orchestration layer of the digital twin are ongoing.
Towards the preparation of the technology demonstration in industrially relevant environment, preparatory activities have been completed for large-scale operation of RISE’s pyrolysis pilot plant and Pyrocell’s commercial production towards the production of 10 tons of bio-oil, alongside the design and integration of a carbon capture and utilization (CCU) system for CO2 recovery, purification, liquefaction, and subsequent methanol synthesis. Key steps include finalizing logistics for CO2 test beds, designing flue gas extraction systems, and initiating methanol production planning, with catalyst selection completed and system upgrades underway to enable CO2-based feedstock processing. In parallel, significant advancements have been achieved in biochar utilization by RECORD, including the characterization and regulatory compliance assessment of fast-pyrolysis chars, development and validation of stabilization processes at lab and pilot scale, and production of homogenized, regulation-compliant biochar with enhanced stability and carbon content. Additional work has established pelletization methods and defined experimental protocols for upcoming agronomic testing, ensuring readiness for germination, lysimeter, and field trials.
For the integrated sustainability assessment, an internal workshop on definitions, settings and system descriptions with all partners was prepared, which was held in March 2026. It has defined the common basis for the sustainability assessment in all tasks of WP 4. Furthermore, a set of biomass feedstocks was screened amongst others for their availability and technical suitability.
