Project description
Turning black liquor into gold with biochemical breakthrough
Each year, Europe’s pulp and paper industry generates millions of tonnes of black liquor, an energy-rich but underused byproduct rich in lignin. Until now, converting it into valuable chemicals has required complex, costly processes. In this context, the EU-funded SPLENDOR project is pioneering a one-step, catalyst-free technology that turns black liquor directly into high-value bio-aromatics like vanillin and syringol, while recycling valuable inorganic chemicals back into the mill. A six-month trial of a 250 L/h prototype in an operational pulp mill will pave the way for a full-scale 5 000 L/h system. By integrating production on-site and developing new industrial uses, SPLENDOR aims to cut 800 000 tonnes of CO2 annually, boosting EU sustainability.
Objective
SPLENDOR aims to demonstrate a groundbreaking one-step depolymerization technology that efficiently converts lignin from black liquor, a pulping industry byproduct, into valuable aromatic chemicals, without the need for pre-treatment, additional chemicals, or catalysts. This process integrates seamlessly into pulp mills, enhancing scalability and cost-efficiency. It achieves complete conversion of lignin into bio-aromatic monomers, dimers, and oligomers, while recycling inorganic chemicals back to the mill in a zero-waste approach.
SPLENDOR will optimize the conversion of black liquor into high-value aromatic chemicals like vanillin and syringol using advanced analytics and microkinetic modeling to manage lignin variability. The long-term continuous operation of the hydrothermal depolymerization process will be performed to address engineering challenges. Separation and purification technologies will be designed and integrated to ensure a 99% product recovery, optimized for further valorization. A 250 L/h prototype will operate for six months in an operational pulp mill, providing data for future scale-up to a 5000 L/h plant. The project will also develop four industrial applications - fine chemicals, waterproofing coatings, plasticizers for tires, and fuel components - and showcase their market potential.
SPLENDOR supports a circular economy by converting black liquor into high-value bio-based chemicals, improving resource efficiency, and boosting the European chemical industry's economic viability. By reducing reliance on fossil-based chemicals and integrating production at the lignin source, SPLENDOR enhances European competitiveness and reduces transport-related emissions. The project complies with EU safety regulations and REACH standards, emphasizing safety, sustainability, and environmentally friendly products. Upon commercialization SPLENDOR is expected to save over 800,000 tons of CO2 annually, advancing Europe’s climate goals and circular economy targets.
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.
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
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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-2024
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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.
9000 GENT
Belgium
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.