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Sustainable and efficient bio-chemical catalytic cascade conversion of residual biomass to high quality biopolymers

Objective

The overall objective of BioCatPolymers is to demonstrate a sustainable and efficient technological route to convert low quality residual biomass to high added-value biopolymers. The technology is based on an integrated hybrid bio-thermochemical process combining the best features of both. The biological step consists of the efficient conversion of biomass-derived sugars to mevalonolactone (MVL). MVL can be then converted to bio-monomers via highly selective chemocatalytic processes. BioCatPolymers is specifically aiming at the efficient and economic production of isoprene and 3-methyl 1,5-pentanediol (3MPD), two momoners with very large markets that can be further processed in the existing infrastructure for fossil-based polymers for the production of elastomers and polyurethanes, respectively.
This ambitious target will be attained by optimizing and demonstrating the entire value chain on 0.5 ton of biomass/day scale, starting from the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass to hydrolysis and biological fermentation to MVL, separation of MVL from fermentation broth, selective catalytic conversion to the targeted monomer and finally purification to polymer grade quality. The novel approach we propose in this project surpasses the impediments of traditional solely bio-based approaches. It aims at producing bio-isoprene at 50% cost reduction and 3MPD at 70% cost reduction compared to average market prices, by optimizing the platform cell factories and all downstream processes and integrating the process modules, thereby increasing the competitiveness of biological processes in terms of economics.
The BioCatPolymers consortium consists of highly qualified and experienced researchers with complementary expertise. Trans-disciplinary considerations are strongly involved in the project. The strong industrial leadership-driven innovation potential is reflected through the fact that the large majority of the partners are from industry.

Call for proposal

H2020-NMBP-2016-2017

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Sub call

H2020-NMBP-BIO-2017

Coordinator

ETHNIKO KENTRO EREVNAS KAI TECHNOLOGIKIS ANAPTYXIS
Net EU contribution
€ 1 316 250,00
Address
Charilaou Thermi Road 6 Km
57001 Thermi Thessaloniki
Greece

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Region
Θεσσαλονίκη Κεντρική Μακεδονία Βόρεια Ελλάδα
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00

Participants (9)

VISOLIS TECHNOLOGIES LTD

Participation ended

United Kingdom
Net EU contribution
€ 0,00
Address
72 Great Suffolk Street
SE1 0BL London
SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
London Inner London — East Lewisham and Southwark
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
BIOPROCESS PILOT FACILITY BV
Netherlands
Net EU contribution
€ 767 360,00
Address
Alexander Fleminglaan 1
2613 AX Delft

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Region
West-Nederland Zuid-Holland Delft en Westland
Activity type
Other
Other funding
€ 0,00
PROCESS DESIGN CENTER BV
Netherlands
Net EU contribution
€ 345 187,50
Address
Paardeweide 7
4824 EH Breda

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Noord-Brabant West-Noord-Brabant
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 147 937,50
Third-party

Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.

KEUKEN & DE KONING BV
Netherlands
Net EU contribution
€ 84 000,00
Address
Paardeweide 7
4824 EH Breda

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Noord-Brabant West-Noord-Brabant
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 36 000,00
QUANTIS
Switzerland
Net EU contribution
€ 224 875,00
Address
Parc Scientifique Epfl Pse D
1024 Ecublens Vd

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 96 375,00
Third-party

Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.

QUANTIS SRL
Italy
Net EU contribution
€ 37 625,00
Address
Piazzale Biancamano 2
20121 Milano (Mi)

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Nord-Ovest Lombardia Milano
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 16 125,00
COVESTRO DEUTSCHLAND AG
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 64 750,00
Address
Kaiser Wilhelm Allee 60
51373 Leverkusen

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Region
Nordrhein-Westfalen Köln Leverkusen, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 27 750,00
SEKAB E-TECHNOLOGY AB
Sweden
Net EU contribution
€ 466 812,56
Address
Hoerneborgsvaegen
89121 Oernskoeldsvik

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Region
Norra Sverige Mellersta Norrland Västernorrlands län
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 200 062,52
VISOLIS BV
Netherlands
Net EU contribution
€ 1 055 187,50
Address
Urmonderbaan 22, Gate 2,
6167RD Geleen

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Limburg (NL) Zuid-Limburg
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 452 937,50