Zambezi pilot biorefinery project takes the next step

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Last february, AkzoNobel, Avantium, Chemport Europe, RWE and Staatsbosbeheer announced the creation of a partnership to develop a wood to chemicals biorefinery at the Chemie Park Delfzijl. The reference plant will be based on the Zambezi process that has been developed by Avantium. It is a technology for the production of high-purity glucose, lignin and a mixed sugar syrup from second generation feedstocks (see this post to know more about the pilot biorefinery and the Zambezi technology). Next step on the project was unveiled yesterday in a new press release: Avantium and AkzoNobel have just signed a contract for the pilot plant accommodation and the supply of various facilities and services.

The press release provides new specific details about the pilot biorefinery:
Feedstock
It will predominantly use forestry residue sourced from the Netherlands.
Start-up
It is expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2018.
Employment
It will lead to the employment of approximately 20 people.

Figure 1. Aerial view of the Chemie Park Delfzijl (extracted from its web page). It will be the home of the Zambezi pilot plant.

Statements of the stakeholders

Tom van Aken (CEO of Avantium): “Delfzijl is an excellent location for the ongoing development of our Zambezi technology. Beyond the pilot plant, the Chemie Park Delfzijl is a high consideration for the future construction of a commercial Zambezi biorefinery. This reference plant is currently being developed with our partners, AkzoNobel, Chemport Europe, RWE and Staatsbosbeheer. The Chemie Park Delfzijl offers all the necessities to operate our pilot plant through excellent collaboration with AkzoNobel and support from the Groningen province.”

Knut Schwalenberg (CEO of AkzoNobel Netherlands): “With this contract we take a next step expanding the Delfzijl site from its traditional chemical production into biobased and green chemistry. The technology which Avantium brings to Delfzijl complements our own biobased projects on the site in support of the sustainable development of AkzoNobel’s Specialty Chemicals business.”

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