The LIGNOFLAG consortium aims to confirm the technical, ecological and economic benefits of the large-scale production of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues in Europe, by using an innovative technology for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to cellulosic ethanol. This, in turn, will drive progress towards a low-carbon economy, reduce Europe’s dependence on energy imports and create new opportunities for growth and green jobs. The LIGNOFLAG project reflects the vision of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Europe leading the transition from a fossil-based economy to a bio-based, circular economy, while decoupling economic growth from resource depletion and environmental impact.
The project consortium, led by Clariant as the coordinator and with support through LIGNOFLAG funding, built and operates a commercial size production plant in Podari, Romania, for the production of cellulosic ethanol. The project has focused on and created an entire new value chain, from successfully bringing the straw from the field to the flagship plant to produce cellulosic ethanol and bring it to the market. Besides the product cellulosic ethanol, the co-product lignin is used on-site in a CHP plant to supply power and steam to the flagship plant. The project has developed a very valuable application of the other co-product vinasse to be used as a fertiliser on the fields, thus closing the nutrient loop and introducing a circular-economy approach. In this regard, significant value and green job creation in an underdeveloped Romanian rural area has been achieved, while most parts of the value chain are kept in the region.