New concepts for upgrading pulp mill waste streams to value-added chemicals

Objective

The objective is to upgrade low-value residual products from kraft pulp and cork manufacture into valorised green chemicals, with methods that can be efficiently integrated with the pulp/cork mills. Considerable residual streams become low-value heat at th e mills with no practical use. This is a sub-utilisation of the potential of the chemicals in the residuals. Their broad spectrum of organic compounds could be processed to value-added chemical products, utilising the energy surplus of the wood/cork mills for the manufacture. Expected innovations: - New technologies for valorisation of pulp and cork mill waste without impairing overall energy economy or quality of the primary products. - New value-added products from current low-value energy streams - Va lorisation of polysaccharides in the black liquor through a new method that preserves the structure of the material for valorisation into paper additives, thickeners, food additives, emulsifiers and adsorbents. - Chemical and biotechnical valorisation of bark/cork suberin (a natural polyester) and extractives hitherto undeveloped natural resources into green polymers, composites and specialty chemicals. The whole value-chain is covered: Advanced methods for fractionation and purification of the raw mate rials, biotechnical and chemical valorisation and application potential. The sustainability of the industries is improved through better utilisation of the wood material, and decreased fossil fuel dependency and emissions of CO2 may become possible.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › mechanical engineering › tribology › lubrication
• engineering and technology › materials engineering › composites
• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › energy and fuels
• natural sciences › biological sciences › biochemistry › biomolecules › proteins › enzymes
• agricultural sciences › agriculture, forestry, and fisheries › forestry

Programme(s)

• FP6-NMP - Nanotechnologies and nanosciences, knowledge-based multifunctional materials and new production processes and devices: thematic priority 3 under the 'Focusing and integrating community research' of the 'Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area' specific programme 2002-2006.

Topic(s)

• NMP-2003-3.4.4.3 - Mastering chemicals and creating new eco-efficient processes and synthesis routes
• NMP-2003-3.4.3.3-2 - New life-cycle optimised, safety and environmental technologies for industrial production

Call for proposal

FP6-2003-NMP-TI-3-MAIN
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project

Coordinator

STFI-PACKFORSK AB

Address

Drottning Kristinas Vaeg 61
5604 Stockholm
Sweden

Links

Participants (7)

VTT TECHNICAL RESEARCH CENTRE OF FINLAND

Finland

Address

Vuorimiehentie 5
1000 Espoo

Links

AABO AKADEMI UNIVERSITY

Finland

Address

Domkyrkotorget 3
Turku

Links

UNIVERSIDADE DE AVEIRO

Portugal

Address

Campo Universitario De Santiago
Aveiro

Links

LUND UNIVERSITY

Sweden

Address

Paradisgatan 5c
Lund

Links

AMORIM FLORESTAL, S.A.

Portugal

Address

Rua Da Corticeira, 66
Mozelos

Links

UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO

Portugal

Address

Largo Do Paço
Braga

Links

CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLA AB

Sweden

Address

Chalmersplatsen
Gothenburg

Links