Project description
Innovative approach for lignocellulose biorefinery valorisation
Biorefinery processes generate waste. It is crucial to transform the bio-based industry into a more sustainable one. The EU-funded Zelcor project will implement a biorefinery integrated methodology. This approach combines chemical and enzymatic catalysis with biological conversion using insects to effectively convert recalcitrant side streams from lignocellulose biorefineries into valuable biobased products, including fine chemicals. The objective is to recycle waste bio-based products with a focus on large-scale production of biomolecules for applications such as cosmetics, packaging, the chemical industry, and innovative biocatalyst products. The project will target three main raw materials: lignocellulosic residues generated from ethanol production, lignins that dissolve during the pulping process, and lignin-like humins formed through the conversion of sugars.
Objective
Zelcor project aims at demonstrating the feasibility of transforming lignocellulose biorefinery recalcitrant side streams into high added-value biobased products, including fine chemicals. Its concept is to combine chemical and enzymatic catalysis with insects-based biological conversion, within a biorefinery integrated approach. The project is conceived to avoid waste production by recycling waste bio-based products and improve the sustainability of existing second generation biorefineries. It addresses three types of recalcitrant raw materials: lignocellulosic residues from ethanol production, lignins dissolved during pulping process and lignin-like humins formed by sugars conversion. Enzymatic and process engineering will be implemented to design efficient conversion routes and permit technological breakthroughs. A transversal platform for the characterisation of biomolecules will be settled to identify bio-products of commercial interest among lignins and humins multifunctional nanoparticles, phenolic antioxidants, insects-based chitosans and aromatic chemical intermediates. Thanks to this platform, Zelcor will enhance knowledge of the structure-function relationships and the mechanisms involved in recalcitrant raw materials catalytic depolymerisation and bioconversion. Demonstration of the approach feasibility will be performed by process scaling-up, formulation of end-product prototypes and value chain sustainability and safety assessment. The presence of industrial partners all along the value chains, from lignocellulosic feedstock to end products, will facilitate demonstration activities and technological transfers. With this strong industry drive, Zelcor will lead to large scale production of biomolecules for cosmetics, packaging and chemical industry, as well as novel biocatalysts. Zelcor is a 6.7M€ collaborative project, 49% of which for SMEs (43% EC grant). It gathers 18 organisations from 8 countries, including 6 academia, 8 SMEs, and 3 corporations.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- engineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materials
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesfood technologyfood packaging
- engineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybiomaterialsbioplastics
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes
Programme(s)
Coordinator
75007 Paris
France
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Participants (20)
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
31077 TOULOUSE CEDEX 4
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
91120 Palaiseau
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
13284 Marseille
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02150 Espoo
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Participation ended
BN6 8RP HASSOCKS
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
80142 Napoli
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1014 BV Amsterdam
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
1014 BV Amsterdam
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
SO40 4BL Southampton
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participation ended
75013 PARIS
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60550 Verneuil En Halatte
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50354 Hurth
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1024 Ecublens Vd
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
6135 LD Sittard
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6708 PB Wageningen
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02390 Origny Sainte-Benoite
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94010 Creteil
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CV4 8UW COVENTRY
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Participation ended
44227 Dortmund
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
91058 Evry
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.