BioRefineries Blog

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Based on significant advancements over the past 5 years, Fibenol is now starting up its first lignocellulosic biorefinery in Imavere. The recalcitrant lignocellulosic structures are effectively opened with a combination of Sunburst™ pre-treatment technology and tailored enzymatic cocktails from Novozymes. This combination provides more than 90% conversion of birch wood processing residues into high-quality cellulosic sugars and co-products, including high-purity lignin. Press release: " Novozymes & Fibenol have entered a commercial partnership to demonstrate lignocellulosic biorefining on an industrial scale ", 02/04/2023.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Technip Energies and MetGen Oy have announce a collaboration for the industrialization of METNIN® technology for the valorization of lignin. Lignin is a high-volume waste stream of biorefineries that is currently burned.  METNIN® is an enzymatic process technology that enables the fractionation of lignin from lignocellulosic feedstocks to produce various renewable bio-products. Technip Energies and MetGen have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly bring a standardized solution for lignin refining to the global market. Press release: " Technip Energies and MetGen Join Forces to Industrialize METNIN® Lignin Refining Technology ", 28/09/2022,

Versión en Español BIOREFINERY PLATFORMS Concept - Lignin is a natural amorphous polymer, which acts as the essential glue that gives plants their structural integrity. Nature produces lignin by the enzymatic dehydrogenative polymerization of coniferyl alcohol (common in softwoods), syringyl alcohol (common in hardwoods) and coumaryl alcohol (common in grasses). - Of the three major natural polymers that make up ordinary plants (cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose), lignin is the second most abundant fraction behind cellulose. - Lignin is based on aromatic units. The structure of lignin is complex and changes according to biomass source. It is composed of phenylpropenyl (C9) randomly branched units. The phenylpropenyl building blocks, guaiacols and syringols, are connected through carbon-carbon and carbon-oxygen (ether) bonds. Trifunctionally linked units provide numerous branching sites and alternate ring units. - Currently, most lignin on the market is a by-product from the pulp an...

Versión en Español Type of post: PROJECT PROFILE. The new BBI JU-funded VIOBOND project will build a first-of-its-kind flagship biorefinery producing industrial-scale lignin-phenol-formaldehyde (LPF) resins. The main commercial end-use of these resins is conventional plywood panels where lignin substitutes fossil-origin and hazardous phenol and formaldehyde in resin. Also, special LPF resins to be used in consumer products such as plywood coating, white furniture plywood, sandpaper adhesive and insulation glass wool binder will be validated and produced in the flagship plant. Profile on BBI JU website: VIOBOND . Related post: “ BBI JU flagship projects - The new generation of European advanced biorefineries ”, 17/7/2017. Figure 1. The main commercial end-use of LPF resins is conventional plywood panels where lignin substitutes fossil-origin and hazardous phenol and formaldehyde in resin Key date Title Sustainable binder: Upscaling new lignin-phenol-formaldehyde r...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Vertoro has announced that its “Goldilocks by sea” proposal won a REACT-EU grant (2 M€) to co-finance all engineering, permitting and ground works activities for a 250 ktons/year biorefinery in the Port of Rotterdam. LinkedIn post , 24/06/2021. Related posts: - “ Sainc Energy plans to build an advanced biorefinery in Andalusia ”, 13/09/2018. - “ Sekab and Vertoro to build a demo biorefinery to produce a new platform for sustainable fuels, chemicals and materials ”, 11/03/2020. Figure 1. Goldilocks oil (taken from Vertoro website) This biorefinery will convert industrial wood residues like sawdust into some 50,000 tons of cellulosic ethanol, alongside roughly 125,000 tons of lignin-based Goldilocks crude oil. The crude has multiple applications including its use as a gasifier- and cracker feedstock as well as a marine fuel. GEM (Goldilocks Enriched Methanol) offers a lower average price per calorie and improves important combustio...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Sekab’s planned lignocellulosic biorefinery has been selected as a top ranked project among 311 applications to the EU Innovation Fund and is now one step closer to be granted funding. The Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest funding programs for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. Press release: “ Sekab’s technology is making progress in the EU ”, 22/04/2021. Related posts: - “ Sekab and Vertoro to build a demo biorefinery to produce a new platform for sustainable fuels, chemicals and materials ”, 11/03/2020. - “ Sekab starts a feasibility study for a plant to produce biobased chemicals and fuels ”, 17/11/2020. Figure 1. Sekab’s lignocellulosic biorefinery project selected for the next step of the EU Innovation Fund (taken from the press release) The first call for investment support for large projects is now being carried out. About 1 billion euros will be distributed. 311 applications have been sent i...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. RenCom starts production of lignin-based material Renol® with a capacity of more than 1000 tons/year. Press release: “ RenCom starts production of lignin-based material Renol®, to replace fossil-based plastics, with a capacity of more than 1000 tonnes/year ”, 22/02/2021. Related post: “ RenCom to produce lignin-based biomaterial with equipment developed by Coperion ”, 03/08/2020. Figure 1. Renol pellets The installation of Coperion’s state-of-the art twin screw extruder was successful and production has already started according to schedule. RenCom have conducted several successful projects during 2020, especially together with The Swedish Energy Agency, and with close partners in Europe, Asia, and America. Renol® is now ready for the market and the first batches of commercial volumes will be shipped in the first quarter of 2021. Renol® can be used in ratios up to 50 % in films, furniture and automotive parts (injection mouldin...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. The flagship biorefinery of the SWEETWOODS project has reached its first milestones with the delivery of industrially representative samples of high purity lignin and wood sugars available at the ton scale for testing at novel value chains. Press release: “ SWEETWOODS delivers first tons of high purity lignin and wood sugars ”, 16/02/2021. Related posts: - “ Graanul Biotech lays the cornerstone for the building of the SWEETWOODS flagship plant ”, 25/10/2019. - “ SWEETWOODS flagship plant ready to be commissioned ”, 29/05/2020. Figure 1. SWEETWOODS biorefinery (taken from the press release) The BBI JU funded SWEETWOODS flagship plant is now ready to ship out industrially representative samples of high purity near-native lignin and wood sugars at the ton scale. The project’s leading partner Graanul Biotech has stated that the first phase construction works of the flagship were finished in 2020 and that the construction of the second phase, ...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  LignoPure , a start-up focused on transforming raw lignin into valuable materials and intermediary products, has closed its seed round (2.2 M€) with High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), Innovationsstarter Fonds Hamburg GmbH (IFH) and Swiss Holding Tanovis AG. The funding will allow LignoPure to scale its own technology for the transformation of lignin (a byproduct of the pulp and paper industries and biorefineries) into tailor made particles for industrial applications and accelerate its market entry.  Press release: “ LignoPure secures € 2.2 Million seed round with High-Tech Gründerfonds, Innovationsstarter Fonds Hamburg GmbH (IFH) and Swiss Holding Tanovis AG ”, 18/01/2021.  Figure 1. LignoPure concept (taken from the company website)  LignoPure GmbH was founded in 2019 by Joana Gil, Wienke Reynolds and Stefan Boersting as a spinoff of the Institute of Thermal Separation Processes lead by Professor Irina Smirnova a...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Bloom Biorenewables , company which transfers state-of-the-art technologies developed in Swiss Universities to make biomass a true alternative to petroleum, has secured 2.9 M€ in seed funding with lead investment from Yokogawa Electric Corporation , a worldwide leader in automation of industrial production processes. The investment will be used to complete a biomass fractionation pilot project and secure pre-sales agreements with players from textile, packaging and fragrances industries across Europe.  Press release: “ Bloom Biorenewables secures 2.9M€ fundraising to prove biomass valorization at pilot scale and signs partnership agreement with Yokogawa ”, 20/8/2020.  Figure 1. Bloom Biorenewables secures funding to complete a biomass fractionation pilot project (taken from the company website)   Bloom and Yokogawa also signed a cooperation agreement on the commercialization of Bloom’s breakthrough technology. Bloom’s pa...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Swedish company RenCom AB has chosen Coperion ’s state-of-the art twin screw extrusion system to enable the production of RENOL®, an innovative thermoplastic biomaterial that can be used to replace fossil-based plastics. Press release: “ Coperion supports RenCom in production of durable biomaterial ”, 21/7/2020. Figure 1. From wood to biodegradable thermoplastic biomaterial RENOL® RenCom has a patented process that transforms lignin into a renewable, degradable biomaterial that can replace fossil plastics. Such material is marketed under the name RENOL®. Passing different process steps, including extrusion and compounding (mixing of bio-compounds that promote the chemical transformation on the lignin by polymerizing it), RENOL® becomes a biomaterial that can be used for all kinds of plastic products. It can be used directly in existing production infrastructure without any modifications to machines or methods. Fol...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has recently signed three agreements with leading European innovators to collaborate on the development and potential financing of new projects that address climate change by developing first-of-a-kind demonstration plants. Two of them are advanced biorefinery projects. Press release: “ EIB to provide advisory support to three first-of-a-kind climate action projects ”, 3/7/2020. Figure 1. EIB to provide advisory support to two advanced biorefinery projects Under a partnership with the European Commission delivered through the InnovFin Advisory programme, the EIB will provide strategic financial advice and support to: - RenFuel Lignolproduktion AB : A production plant for lignin oil (LIGNOL®) from lignin in black liquor from the pulp industry in Sweden. RenFuel’s plant plans to extract 70,000 tons of lignin, which will result in an annual production capacity of approximately 185,000 ...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. SWEETWOODS flagship plant construction works have been finished and key equipment installation is nearly completed. Press release: “ SWEEETWOODS project is progressing as planned ”, 22/5/2020. Related post: “ Graanul Biotech lays the cornerstone for the building of the SWEETWOODS flagship plant ”, 25/10/2019. Figure 1. SWEETWOODS flagship plant in Imavere, Estonia (taken from the press release) The plant is a first-of-a-kind demo facility using sustainable hardwood biomass as raw input material to produce sugars and lignin. Construction works started in July and the cornerstone-laying ceremony took place in October . Delivery of certain equipment and instruments have been delayed due to COVID-19 outbreak. Nevertheless, all preparations are in place to start with commissioning as soon as pandemic related restrictions allow. SWEETWOODS consortium had a productive review meeting in Brussels at the beginning of March...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Cordenka (largest producer of industrial rayon in the world) and Stora Enso have signed an agreement to jointly develop precursors for biobased carbon fiber. The co-development is driven by the need for high performance carbon fiber in transportation, construction and power generation. Press release: “ Stora Enso and Cordenka partner to develop bio-based carbon fiber materials ”, 6/5/2020. Related post: “ Stora Enso to build a pilot facility for producing biobased carbon materials for energy storage ”, 22/7/2019. Figure 1. Cordenka and Stora Enso to jointly develop precursors for biobased carbon fiber (taken from the press release) Stora Enso has been developing the technology for manufacturing carbon fiber from wood-based raw materials (dissolving pulp and lignin) at laboratory scale. The agreement aims at upscaling the precursor development process to pilot-scale operation. The precursor development is carried ou...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. Futurity has finalized a licensing agreement with MetGen Oy . Cooperation will allow the development of a full range of high value lignin-based products including resins and adhesives, foams, composites, biobased chemicals and polymers. Press release: “ From tree to money faster and more efficiently than ever: Futurity to license Metgen's award winning METNIN technology for lignin valorization ”, 9/3/2020. Figure 1. Futurity to license Metgen's METNIN technology for lignin valorization Futurity and its lignocellulosic biorefinery model Futurity is in the process of establishing New Zealand's first advanced commercial biorefinery in Tairāwhiti-Gisborne. This plant will be the first of a number of biorefineries to be constructed around New Zealand. Its technology is based on two licensed processes: -  Futuration™: Assisted by heat, steam, pressure and enzymes, it digests the tree into its original building ...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. The Swedish chemical and clean tech company Sekab together with the Dutch oil company Vertoro have begun the construction of a new demonstration plant in Örnsköldsvik (Sweden) to produce a 2G platform (Goldilocks®) for sustainable fuels, chemicals and materials. Press release: “ Sekab and Vertoro to build large-scale demonstration plant to produce a new platform for sustainable fuels, chemicals, and materials ”, 9/3/2020. Figure 1. Michael Boot (CEO of Vertoro) and Monica Normark (Head of Sekab E-Technology) (extracted from the press release) In the new plant, biomass, lignin or residues from the paper and pulp and forestry industry will be converted into Goldilocks®, a proprietary blend of ethanol and soluble lignin oligomers. Goldilocks® is solvent soluble, melt-flowable and easy to process. With this technology, it is possible to use renewable raw materials to replace crude oil based products. Production is expecte...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. UPM enters the biobased chemicals business by investing in a biorefinery at Leuna (Germany). The biorefinery will produce a range of 100% wood-based biobased chemicals which will enable a switch from fossil raw materials to sustainable alternatives in various end applications. The investment opens totally new markets for UPM with large growth potential for the future. Press release: “ UPM invests in next generation biochemicals to drive a switch from fossil raw materials to sustainable solutions ”, 30/1/2020. Related post: “ UPM evaluates building a wood-based biorefinery to produce green chemicals in Germany ”, 25/8/2016. Figure 1. UPM bio-MEG In October 2017, UPM announced that it was evaluating the construction of a wood-based biorefinery to produce green chemicals in Germany and some preliminary information about its plans was unveiled. Yesterday, the Finish company confirmed its intention of investing in that project ai...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Resolute was recently announced as one of the winners in the 2020 BIG Innovation Awards presented by the Business Intelligence Group (BIG) for the biorefinery project at its pulp and paper mill in Thunder Bay (Ontario). Resolute website - Awards and Recognition . Related posts: - “ FPInnovations will partner with Resolute to launch pilot-scale biorefinery ”, 25/8/2016. - “ FPInnovations and Resolute open a pilot biorefinery in Ontario to produce 2G sugars and lignin ”, 31/5/2019. Figure 1. Resolute wins innovation award for the biorefinery project at its pulp and paper mill in Thunder Bay Business Intelligence Group (BIG) is a global organization that recognizes business performance. The BIG Innovation Awards are presented annually to honour organizations that make new ideas into reality. Resolute was recognized for a biorefining unit which is developing new ways to efficiently produce and commercialize inn...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. Last month, Graanul Biotech ( Graanul Invest subsidiary) laid the cornerstone for the SWEETWOODS flagship plant in Estonia. It will be a first-of-a-kind demo facility using sustainable hardwood biomass as raw input material to produce sugars and lignin. Construction works started in July and the estimated time of completion of the first stage is the first half of 2020. Press release: “ Flagship plant received the cornerstone ”, 18/9/2019. Figure 1. A time capsule was set in the cornerstone of the plant by Raul Kirjanen (member of the management board of Graanul Invest), Peep Pitk (research and development manager) and Rait Pihelgas (Järva rural municipality mayor). The capsule included a cup with high purity lignin, pre-fractionated woodchips, the business plan of the project, the foundation articles of Graanul Biotech and the newspaper of the day. Partners of the engineering and construction works The technology licence o...