Project description
Bio-based alternatives to petrochemical products from non-food biomass feedstock
Non-food biomass feedstock offers new pathways to the biorefinery process with potential high revenues for the sector. The EU-funded AFTERBIOCHEM project will create multiple new value chains from non-food biomass feedstock for a variety of end-products by combining anaerobic batch fermentation and esterification. In the fermentation process, solid mixtures of naturally occurring microorganisms will generate organic acids with a mineral fertiliser side stream allowing the production of derivatives such as vinyl acetate monomer and cellulose acetate. Sugar production by-products can be used as a raw material in the fermentation process. The results will be renewable, bio-based alternatives to petrochemical products suitable for fragances and flavors, food and feed, pharmaceuticals and hygiene products. The esterification process will contribute to optimising product value and reducing waste and energy use.
Objective
The AFTER-BIOCHEM project aims to create multiple new value chains, from non-food biomass feedstock to multiple end-products, by combining anaerobic batch fermentation and esterification. In the fermentation process robust mixes of naturally occurring micro-organisms will produce organic acids such as propionic, butyric, isobutyric, valeric, isovaleric and caproic acids, with a mineral fertilizer sidestream. Based on the acids, a substantial number of derivatives may be produced, such as Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) and cellulose acetate. The esterification process will convert the acetic acid into ethyl acetate and the propionic acid into ethyl propionate to maximize product value and minimize waste and energy use.
The feedstock of the fermentation process may be sugar production byproducts such as beet pulp and molasses, to increase the sustainability of sugar beet, a key European crop. The products will represent valuable renewable, bio-based, domestically-sourced alternatives to petrochemical products in numerous high-value applications such as flavorings and fragrances, hygiene products, pharmaceuticals, antimicrobials and polymers. The mineral fertilizer sidestream will contribute to the EU Action plan for the Circular Economy. The objective from 2020 to 2022 will be to commission the flagship biorefinery in France, which will then run at full capacity and integrate esterification from 2022 to 2024. Two further biorefineries should be initiated in Europe from 2024. The annual revenue generated by the three plants represents ca. €150 million, and at least 180 direct technical jobs and a commensurate number of indirect jobs would be created.
Fields of science
- natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryorganic acids
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugs
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
- agricultural sciencesagricultural biotechnologybiomass
- engineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybioprocessing technologiesfermentation
Keywords
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.2. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy Main Programme
- H2020-EU.2.1.4. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Biotechnology
- H2020-EU.3.2.6. - Bio-based Industries Joint Technology Initiative (BBI-JTI)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
63360 Saint Beauzire
France
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.