Project description
Breakthrough biorefining technology turns biomass into eco-friendly fibres
Every day, enormous amounts of biomass and agricultural residue streams are burned or just left to rot in the fields, releasing vast amounts of CO2 emissions. The EU-funded ECOFIPS project is developing a breakthrough biorefining process that treats organic residue streams so that they can be used as raw materials for various industries. In particular, it converts 100 % of the residual biomass to ligno-cellulose fibres for the production of high-value products. Potential applications include fibre production intended for the paper and packaging industry and the insulation materials industry. By reusing biomass in products, CO2 is fixated in materials rather than being emitted into the atmosphere. This sets a solid base for a new circular and biobased economy.
Objective
At the time of obtaining fibres for industries as the one of cardboard/paper, Substrates or insulation materials, alarming issues arise regarding its production or extraction. On respect of paper and carboard, this has a Carbon footprint of 1Kg/Kg, on top, carboard intended for packaging contains mineral oils saturated hydrocarbons and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons. With respect of insulation materials, polystyrene foam for instance has a CO2 footprint of 7-14 CO2/kg, glasswool and rockwool 1,1-1,5 kg CO2/kg which at the end of their life-span these materials, turn into special treatment waste. Substrate market landscape is not much better: peatlands are dramatically destroyed, impairing their carbon sink function. NewFoss (Uden, The Netherlands) developed a biorefining process, NewFoss ECOFIPS which converts 100% of the residual biomass to ligno-cellulose fibre to make high value products. The patented biorefining process is energy/CO2 and water neutral treating organic residue streams, such that they can be used as raw materials. This way, we will develop the business and value chains for fibre intended for paper and packaging (NFF-Pulp), substrate/potting soil (NFF Substrate), insulation panel material (NFF- Iso), and fertilizer. Many industries/consumers at the EU can benefit from all these advantages incorporating an innovative and competitive process to its production, saving money from a circular economy perspective and a sustainable and non-toxic point of view. Global landscape for molded fibre, has a big CAGR with a 6.8% (2017-2022). On respect to the Insulation Materials Market is supported by a CAGR of 6.2% . The worldwide market for Potting Soil is expected to grow at a CAGR of roughly 2.8% over the next five years. ECOFIPS project has a budget of 1.4 M and will need two years to be performed. ECOFIPS will supposed to NewFoss, in five years’ time, a total turnover of 116M with a ROI of 10.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringpower engineeringelectric power generationcombined heat and power
- natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryhydrocarbons
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicsbioeconomy
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
- agricultural sciencesagricultural biotechnologybiomass
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
5406 XT Uden
Netherlands
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.