Novel biorefinery concepts for valorization of lignocellulosic residues

About this project

<p>The availability of compact and cost-efficient solutions for sustainable production of platform chemicals and higher value compounds is essential for renewables to become Europe's dominant primary carbon source. NoviCo will contribute to achieve EU’s ambitious objectives, by providing an innovative technological solution for the sustainable and socially acceptable conversion of low value lignocellulosic residues, such as thinnings, sawdust into biobased chemicals and materials precursors. The core of NoviCo is the separation and functionalization of lignin from lignocellulose, specifically from pine and spruce. The former step consists of ionic-liquid based extraction. Functionalization by electrochemical oxidation and fungal conversion will be explored with respect to conversion, yield of valuable products and complexity of product mix. Promising results can widen the feedstock portfolio to agricultural residues.&nbsp;<br> The experimental work will be complemented by evaluating integration options for those processes into established and new biorefinery infrastructure. Efficient, compact and safe processes will be developed, operating at mild conditions, and targeting high carbon yields. The experimental development is supported by a broad sustainability analysis including economic feasibility, environmental footprint and impact on society, innovation potential and development in rural areas with high biomass availability.&nbsp;<br> NoviCo will validate the new technology at lab-scale (TRL2-3), using an integrated approach covering the entire process and variable feedstock, minimizing separation costs, and increasing resource and carbon efficiency. The lab scale process developed will be the prototype for a future production system of biobased chemicals. &nbsp;<br> The NoviCo consortium provides complementary world class expertise along the entire value chain and strong commitment to maximize dissemination, communication and exploitation of the results through industrial implementation.</p>

Bilateral cooperation results

NoviCo project has set up an integrated (bio)chemical process for lignocellulose valorisation that has the potential to be transferred to industrial manufacturing scale. The NoviCo consortium provided complementary world class expertise along the entire value chain and strong commitment to maximizing dissemination, communication, and exploitation of the results through industrial implementation. Collaborative activities have been developed in various inter-related topics, including knowledge transfer of analysis methods and electrochemical conversion techniques for lignins and their depolymerization products, proteomics of applied fungi with the aim to align and synchronize scientific methods. Several scientific seminars were organized to disseminate the results and presentations at other international events were made to contribute to the socio-economic impact. During the research activities, regular inter-partner communication and joint research was made.

Project partners

• SINTEF AS Donor project partner· Norway
• Estonian University of Life Sciences Project partner· Estonia