LIGFLOW | Valuable aromatics from stabilized lignins: towards an optimal and feasible continuous operation

Summary
Environmental concerns linked to society’s dependence on fossil resources have spurred an unprecedented search for sustainable processes, not only for energy but also for manufacturing chemicals and materials. Unfortunately, the low efficiency of emerging technologies based on renewable resources often hinders their profitability. Bloom Biorenewables Ltd maximizes the utilization of non-edible biomass using a novel stabilization strategy that prevents undesired degradation pathways during bio-refining. Pure fractions are stabilized, isolated and upgraded to products such as fragrances, textile fibres or bio-plastics. With a 10-fold yield increase compared to current solutions, lignin applications can drive rather than hinder the process’s techno-economic feasibility. Yet, catalytic lignin depolymerisation for the production of high value molecules represents the main bottleneck for scale-up and is currently limiting the company’s ability to respond to the increasing demand for lignin products. LIGFLOW will develop an industry-compatible lignin depolymerisation process that paves the way for a continuous operation demonstrator. The main objectives are: 1) Transfer from batch to flow reactor; 2) Enable solvent recycling >90% and perform in situ catalyst regeneration; 3) Isolate and purify targeted products for distribution to key industrial partners; 4) Perform process modelling and life cycle assessment to achieve a full techno-economic and sustainability analysis of the resulting process. LIGFLOW’s results will unlock more profitable and sustainable production routes for biomass-derived aromatics. LIGFLOW also aligns with the MSCA Work Programme by building powerful and lasting synergies between the applicant’s expertise (lignin chemistry, flow reactors) and the host company (disruptive biomass upgrading technologies). Together with the company, the applicant will develop scientific, business and leadership skills to jumpstart her career in the bio-based industry.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101032664
Start date: 01-01-2022
End date: 31-12-2023
Total budget - Public funding: 203 149,44 Euro - 203 149,00 Euro
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Original description

Environmental concerns linked to society’s dependence on fossil resources have spurred an unprecedented search for sustainable processes, not only for energy but also for manufacturing chemicals and materials. Unfortunately, the low efficiency of emerging technologies based on renewable resources often hinders their profitability. Bloom Biorenewables Ltd maximizes the utilization of non-edible biomass using a novel stabilization strategy that prevents undesired degradation pathways during bio-refining. Pure fractions are stabilized, isolated and upgraded to products such as fragrances, textile fibres or bio-plastics. With a 10-fold yield increase compared to current solutions, lignin applications can drive rather than hinder the process’s techno-economic feasibility. Yet, catalytic lignin depolymerisation for the production of high value molecules represents the main bottleneck for scale-up and is currently limiting the company’s ability to respond to the increasing demand for lignin products. LIGFLOW will develop an industry-compatible lignin depolymerisation process that paves the way for a continuous operation demonstrator. The main objectives are: 1) Transfer from batch to flow reactor; 2) Enable solvent recycling >90% and perform in situ catalyst regeneration; 3) Isolate and purify targeted products for distribution to key industrial partners; 4) Perform process modelling and life cycle assessment to achieve a full techno-economic and sustainability analysis of the resulting process. LIGFLOW’s results will unlock more profitable and sustainable production routes for biomass-derived aromatics. LIGFLOW also aligns with the MSCA Work Programme by building powerful and lasting synergies between the applicant’s expertise (lignin chemistry, flow reactors) and the host company (disruptive biomass upgrading technologies). Together with the company, the applicant will develop scientific, business and leadership skills to jumpstart her career in the bio-based industry.

Status

TERMINATED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2020

Update Date

28-04-2024
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
MSCA-IF-2020 Individual Fellowships