Descripción del proyecto
Un método sostenible para transformar la biomasa residual en biopolímeros de alto valor
El equipo del proyecto BioCatPolymers, financiado con fondos europeos, pretende crear un método sostenible y eficaz para convertir biomasa residual de baja calidad en biopolímeros de alto valor. La tecnología propuesta implicará un proceso biotermoquímico híbrido integrado para convertir los azúcares derivados de la biomasa en mevalonolactona, que puede convertirse en biomonómeros mediante procesos quimiocatalíticos selectivos. El objetivo es producir de forma económica isopreno y 3-metil 1,5-pentanodiol (3MPD), dos monómeros con grandes mercados, que pueden transformarse en elastómeros y poliuretanos, respectivamente. Las actividades del proyecto podrían contribuir a reducir los costes de producción del bioisopreno en un 50 % y de 3MPD en un 70 %. Esta reducción se logrará optimizando las fábricas de células y los procesos posteriores e integrando módulos de proceso.
Objetivo
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.
Ámbito científico
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Convocatoria de propuestas
Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoriaConvocatoria de subcontratación
H2020-NMBP-BIO-2017
Régimen de financiación
IA - Innovation actionCoordinador
57001 Thermi Thessaloniki
Grecia