LignoValue Pilot project partners select the technology to scale up bio-aromatics production

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Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.

It is about just over a year since the Blog reported on the launch of the LignoValue Pilot project, an initiative aimed at building a pilot plant in Flanders for the production of bio-aromatics from lignin. Recently, some progresses of the project have been unfolded.
Press release: “LignoValue Pilot Project: Technology Selected & Call for Application Testing”, 22/6/2019.
Related post: “VITO will build a pilot plant of bio-aromatics from lignin through the LignoValue Pilot project”, 30/7/2018.

Figure 1. LignoValue Pilot logo

Technology selection
VITO, Worley België and Flemish Environmental Holding (VMH) have announced the technology they will use to scale up production of bio-aromatics in the LignoValue pilot installation: metal-catalyzed depolymerisation of lignin using a heterogeneous catalyst in solvent medium under H2 atmosphere. The decision is based on a landscape analysis of technologies carried out by VITO and KU Leuven in Catalisti’s BAFTA project (Bio-Aromatics Feedstock and Technology Assessment.

Conceptual design and basic engineering
Currently, project partner Worley België is working on the concept and design of the pilot, followed by the basic engineering. This phase is expected to be accomplished by the end of this year. Next year, the detail engineering and the construction of the pilot installation will take place.

Call for participation
More than 30 companies are already following and supporting the LignoValue Pilot project and have signed a letter of intent.
But, the consortium continues to look for the following profiles:
- Companies that have an interest in innovative molecules and a willingness to carry out application testing;
- Feedstock providers (sources of lignin) that are willing to test their product in the pilot line;
- Companies that have an interest in building together a demo plant for the production of bio-aromatics from lignin in Flanders.
Contact data on the press release.

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