Patented modified-immobilized enzymes used in the production of biodiesel at commercial scales using any type of feedstock.

Project Information

Usewaste

Grant agreement ID: 816663

DOI

10.3030/816663

Project closed

EC signature date 4 May 2018

Start date 1 May 2018

End date 30 September 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

ENZYMOCORE LTD
Israel

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Usewaste (Patented modified-immobilized enzymes used in the production of biodiesel at commercial scales using any type of feedstock.)

Reporting period: 2018-05-01 to 2018-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Biodiesel is a natural and renewable domestic alternative fuel for diesel engines. The biodiesel fuel industry is driven by public demand for a cleaner environment and sustainable energy resources, followed by national and international regulation. Furthermore, the biodiesel industry has gained worldwide support for reducing dependency on the unstable fossil oil market with its extreme price fluctuations. Biodiesel produces less GHG emissions when compared to traditional fuels and improves car economy. However, biodiesel production is currently limited by feedstock availability and pricing. The major economic factor to consider for input costs of biodiesel production is the feedstock, which is about 80% of the total operating cost. The traditional industry is heavily dependent on government subsidies due to the high cost of first generation feedstock and production.

The overall objective of TransBiodiesel's project is to bring to market an environmentally friendly enzymatic biodiesel production process that allows the use of cheaper high free fatty acid feedstocks, for more cost-effective biodiesel production.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the feasibility assessment, TransBiodiesel completed a full analysis of the technical and business potential of TransZyme A. TransBiodiesel expanded its knowledge on TransZyme A's capability, the market and different customer segments. A sound business model and commercialisation strategy was established for the anticipated market launch. TransBiodiesel also identified key partners and outlined the scope of the activities to complete the product development, readying it for market launch.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

TransBiodiesel’s major technology breakthrough is the development of modified-immobilized enzymes, characterized with their high resistance to methanol. Thus, these enzymes can be used for the production of biodiesel at commercial scales using any type of feedstock (FFAs 0-100%).

This breakthrough is based on TransBiodiesel’s technology platform, consisting of two elements:
- Modification and adaptation of enzymes (lipases) for use in solvent-free systems
- Immobilization of modified enzymes for industrial applications, which is achieved by covalent binding of the enzymes to specific carriers

TransBiodiesel’s technology overcomes the major drawbacks of enzyme-based catalysts in biodiesel production:
- Irreversible deactivation of the enzymes
- High cost of the enzymes
- Avoiding the use of solvent to enhance the contact between oil and methanol

The methanol-resistant modified immobilized enzymes developed by TransBiodiesel can be used in multiple batch and continuous processes; they are highly active in solvent-free systems, tolerate the use of low-grade and cheap feedstocks of high contents of FFAs and polar lipids (phospholipids and glycolipids). Ultimately, it provides the most efficient solution to biodiesel producers who are eager to make more profits by using the cheapest & lowest grade vegetable oil and animal fat.

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