BioRefineries Blog

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Veolia launches the world's largest biorefinery project producing CO2-neutral bio-methanol from a pulp mill, located in Finland. Press release: " Veolia launches an innovative industrial solution to produce CO2-neutral biofuel from pulp production ", 06/04/2022. The refinery, owned and operated by Veolia, will be adjacent and partly built into Metsä Fibre’s Äänekoski plant in Finland. With an annual production capacity of 12.000 tons, the plant, due to come on stream by 2024, will allow to avoid up to 30.000 tons of CO2 emissions per year2. The 50 M€ investment is supported by a grant from the Finnish ministry of economy and employment Developed in close cooperation with Metsä Fibre, the largest cooperative forestry association in Europe, the refinery will be based on Veolia’s industrial scale concept of commercial bioproduct-derived biomethanol production, which safely integrates the refining of crude sulphate methanol into the pulp productio...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Versalis, Eni's chemical company, has begun the production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass at Crescentino (Vercelli). Press release: “ Versalis: the production of bioethanol up and running at Crescentino ”, 02/02/2022. Related post: “ Versalis acquires Beta Renewables and Biochemtex ”, 18/10/2018. Figure 1. Crescentino biorefinery The plant, which was acquired in 2018, has been overhauled thanks to major investments and has started the production of advanced bioethanol, in compliance with the European legislation for the development of renewable energy RED II, as it is derived from raw materials that do not interfere with the food chain. The bioethanol, produced using Proesa® technology is ISCC-EU certified and will be used to formulate gasoline with a renewable component. The plant is capable of processing 200,000 tons of biomass per year, with a maximum production capacity of approximately 25,000 tons of bioethanol per year. Followi...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. The Province of Groningen has granted the Cosun Beet Company a subsidy of three million euros for the construction of a sustainable biorefinery in Delfzijl. In this innovative facility, sugar beet pulp from Cosun’s sugar factories will be transformed into new plant-based products. Press release: “ Subsidy for sustainable biorefinery from sugar beet pulp ”, 02/02/2022. Figure 1. Cosun Beet Company obtains a grant for the construction of a sustainable biorefinery (extracted from the press release) These products can be used as environmentally friendly replacements for microplastics in paint, detergents, toothpaste, shampoo, makeup and more. The factory will produce on 100% green energy and will create more than 40 jobs. The subsidy is being awarded based on the Investing in Future-proof Industry scheme. The final investment decision by the Cosun Beet Company will be made later this year.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) has announced the introduction of a second generation (2G) ethanol product for Europe’s fast-growing biofuels market. Produced using wood-based feedstock (not in competition with food), RYAM bioethanol will have a ninety percent smaller carbon footprint compared to fossil fuel-based gasoline. Press release: “ Rayonier Advanced Materials Announces Investment In Second Generation Bioethanol Plant, An Important Step In Its BioFuture ”, 18/01/2022. Rayonier Advanced Materials’ biorefinery model captures residual sugars from its existing pulp process and converts the sugars into 2G bioethanol. This circular process, which utilizes a greater portion of the tree to create higher-value products, represents a more sustainable operating model. Designed to produce up to 21 million liters of bioethanol, construction on RYAM’s 2G production facility is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2022 with commercial sales targeted for the Su...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Attero , Nordsol and Titan have been awarded 4,3 M€ in funding for a bio-LNG production plant. The FirstBio2Shipping project will help decarbonize maritime transport through scalable and decentralized production of bio-LNG. Press release: “ Titan, Attero, and Nordsol awarded €4,3M in funding for a bio-LNG production plant ”, 13/12/2021. Figure 1. Attero, Nordsol and Titan receive funding from the EU for a bio-LNG plant It is one of the first projects to receive funding from the Fit for 55 package. The plant, set to be completed in 2023, will produce around 2,400 ton/year of bio-LNG (liquefied biomethane) and will be located at the Attero facility in Wilp (Netherlands). It will supply into existing LNG fuelling infrastructure. Bio-LNG originates from organic waste flows, particularly domestic and agricultural waste that are available in abundance. Attero will produce 6 million Nm3 of biogas per year from domestic biowaste for the...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Avantium has taken a positive Final Investment Decision (FID) on the construction of its FDCA flagship plant. Press release: “ Avantium takes a positive Final Investment Decision on the construction of its FDCA Flagship Plant ”, 03/12/2021. Related posts: - “ Avantium redefines its commercialization strategy of PEF ”, 10/06/2019. - “ Worley awarded FEED contract for Avantium FDCA plant in Delfzijl ”, 15/06/2020. - “ Avantium secures two additional offtake agreements for its planned FDCA biorefinery ”, 29/03/2021. Figure 1. The Journey of Avantium’s PEF towards Commercialisation The positive FID was taken after the company fulfilled all three Key Conditions it had defined: (1) securing sufficient financing; (2) finalising the engineering and establishing the supply chain; (3) and obtaining sufficient offtake commitments for the Flagship Plant. With the recent signing of a 90 M€ committed debt financing term sheet, the final outstandi...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Great news! Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has been launched yesterday to advance a competitive bioeconomy for the next ten years. Press release: “ Welcome to the Circular Bio-based Europe Community ”, 30/11/2021. Figure 1. Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking is officially launched CBE JU, the new 2,000 M€ partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium ( BIC ) is building on the success of its predecessor BBI JU . CBE JU is operating under the rules of Horizon Europe , the EU’s research and innovation programme, for the 2021-2031 period. The main goals of the new European partnership are: - Accelerate the innovation process and development of bio-based innovative solutions. - Accelerate market deployment of the existing mature and innovative bio-based solutions. - Ensure a high level of environmental performance of bio-based industrial systems. Circular bio-based ind...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. Kaffe Bueno is a Danish company specialized in using green chemistry, deep-tech and biotechnology to break down coffee grounds into their composing molecules, and using these to produce high-performing ingredients for several industries: personal care, nutraceuticals and functional foods and beverages. Press release: “ European Innovation Council Grants Kaffe Bueno €2.5 Mn to Build The World’s 1st Coffee Biorefinery ”, 14/10/2021. Figure 1. One of the extracts made from coffee grounds by Kaffe Bueno (taken from the website of the company) Coffe is amongst the most consumed beverages worldwide (2 billion cups consumed daily). Coffee beans are composed by lipids, phenolics, antioxidants, proteins, fibres, healthy sugars and other health-promoting compounds. About 60-70% of coffee grounds end up in a landfill, a large portion is incinerated for energy production, and a very small percentage is recycled into briquettes and pellets, mushroom gr...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Celtic Renewables has confirmed the completion of its biorefinery in Caledon Green (Grangemouth, Scotland). News (insider.co.uk): “ Celtic Renewables confirm completion of Scotland's first biorefinery ”, 28/10/2021. Related posts: - “ Celtic Renewables to build plant for demonstrating production of biobutanol from whisky residue ”, 19/12/2017. - “ Celtic Renewables biorefinery construction hits a major milestone ”, 18/09/2020. Figure 1. Caledon Green plant (taken from the website of Celtic Renewables) The facility, built by Muir Construction , will process the residues from local distilleries to produce high value sustainable biochemical products (acetone, butanol and ethanol) to displace existing petrochemicals, as well as a high protein sustainable animal feed product. The Caledon Green Plant will be the company’s flagship demonstration facility and the springboard for the commercialization of its process technology across th...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. UPM has launched UPM BioMotion Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF), a renewable product to reduce CO₂ footprint of rubber and plastics applications. Press release: “ UPM launches UPM BioMotion™ Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF) – a renewable product to significantly reduce CO₂ footprint of rubber and plastics applications ”, 14/10/2021. Related posts: “ UPM starts the basic engineering phase of an advanced biorefinery ”, 05/02/2021. Figure 1. UPM launches a renewable filler product for rubber and plastics applications This new product represent UPM's latest revolutionary development in sustainable solutions. They address the urgent need to reduce CO₂ emissions of rubber and plastics products by offering a truly sustainable alternative to fossil-based carbon black and precipitated silica. The RFF portfolio will be produced from sustainably sourced hardwood at its first-of-its-kind biorefinery in Leuna (Germany). The UPM biorefi...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Clariant has announced the official completion of its sunliquid® cellulosic ethanol plant in Podari (Romania). Press release: “ Clariant completes construction of first commercial sunliquid cellulosic ethanol plant in Podari, Romania ”, 15/10/2021. Related posts: - “ Clariant starts the construction of its cellulosic ethanol plant in Romania ”, 17/09/2018. - “ Clariant moves forward with the installation of the Valmet pretreatment BioTrac at the cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in Podari ”, 05/04/2021. Figure 1. Sunliquid® cellulosic ethanol plant in Podari The plant in Podari (Dolj county) is built on a 10-hectare area on which construction was initiated in 2019. The completed construction is an important next step for the commercial deployment of sunliquid® technology and supports Clariant’s sunliquid® licensing business strategy. The facility will be operational in the fourth quarter. It will process 250 ktons of straw to produc...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Valmet will rebuild the pretreatment system for RE Energy’s biorefinery in Kalundborg (Denmark). Press release: “ Valmet to rebuild pretreatment system for RE Energy’s biorefinery in Denmark ”, 30/09/2021. Related post: “ New Energy Blue intends to construct a cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in Iowa ”, 26/07/2021. Figure 1. RE Energy’s biorefinery in Kalundborg (taken from the press release) RE Energy is a fully owned subsidiary of REE Holding and was established in 2020 with the purpose of bringing the old Inbicon Kalundborg biorefinery back in operation and thereafter operate the facility. RE Energy’s biorefinery will, based on straw, produce 2G bioethanol and lignin, and in collaboration with a partner, utilize the hemicellulose to produce new innovative ingredients. Valmet will replace the old feeding system of the plant with a new biomass feeding system based on Valmet’s patented Force feed technology and a new steam explosio...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Production is now underway at Pyrocell 's plant in Gävle (Sweden). The new plant converts sawdust into bio-oil. Press release: “ Pyrocell commences production ”, 20/09/2021. Related posts: - “ BTG-BTL and TechnipFMC to build a pyrolysis plant in Sweden for Pyrocell ”, 16/09/2019. - “ Pyrocell holds the groundbreaking ceremony marking construction start of Sweden's first biofuels pyrolysis plant ”, 24/03/2020. Figure 1. Pyrocell commences pyrolysis oil production in Sweden Pyrocell, which is jointly owned by Setra and Preem, was formed in 2018 based on the business concept of producing bio-oil from sawdust. Pyrocell's plant is located next to Setra Kastet sawmill in Gävle. There, sawdust, which is a residual product in Setra's industrial process, is converted into non-fossil pyrolysis oil. The pyrolysis oil is then refined into renewable diesel and petrol at Preem's refinery in Lysekil. The plant will produce arou...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell) has announced a final investment decision to build a biofuels facility with a capacity of 820 ktons/year at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam (the Netherlands) formerly known as the Pernis refinery. Once built, the facility will be among the biggest in Europe to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel made from waste. Press release: “ Shell to build one of Europe’s biggest biofuels facilities ”, 16/09/2021. Figure 1. Pernis refinery Advanced production methods will be used to make the fuels. The facility is expected to use technology to capture carbon emissions from the manufacturing process and store them in an empty gas field beneath the North Sea through the Porthos project. A final investment decision for Porthos is expected next year. A facility of this size could produce enough renewable diesel to avoid 2.8 Mtons of carbon dioxide emissions a year. The Rotterd...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Shell Ventures BV and BlueAlp Holding BV have announced a strategic partnership to develop, scale and deploy BlueAlp’s pyrolysis technology. Press release: “ Shell invests in plastics waste-to-chemicals technology company BlueAlp ”, 09/09/2021. The technology transforms plastic waste which is tough to recycle into a recycled feedstock (pyrolysis oil) that can be used to make sustainable chemicals. Shell has taken a 21.25% equity stake in BlueAlp as part of the agreement. BlueAlp’s other shareholders include Dutch family owned Mourik, Rumali and Den Hartog companies and the Belgium Renasci company. Under the agreement, Shell and BlueAlp will form a joint-venture company to build two new conversion units in The Netherlands, which are forecast to convert more than 30 ktons of plastic waste per year. The units are planned to be operational in 2023 and will supply 100% of their pyrolysis oil as feedstock to Shell’s Moerdijk and Rhinela...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. BioPhero has commissioned a pilot fermentation unit to test and produce larger quantities of pheromones at its headquarters in Copenhagen. Press release: “ BioPhero commissions fermentation unit ”, 19/08/2021. Figure 1. The new fermentation facility was inaugurated by Steen Riisgaard, Vice Chair of Novo Holdings (taken from the press release) The unit is a key element in its efforts to deliver pheromones to the market using its fermentation platform. The in-house pilot capability will both accelerate development of fermentation processes for new pheromones and production of pheromone samples for customers. BioPhero produces biological pheromone solutions to affordable and environmentally friendly control of agricultural pests. It produces its pheromones using renewable raw materials in a single fermentation step using yeasts. The process, which is similar to brewing beer, allows pheromone solutions to be used by growers at a cost ...

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. De Smet Engineers & Contractors (DSEC) has announced its participation in the implementation of UBQ Materials ’ new facility in the Netherlands to convert Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into climate-positive thermoplastic. Press release: “ UBQ Materials’ new facility to convert MSW into the world’s most climate-positive thermoplastic ”, 05/08/2021. Figure 1. DSEC will participate in the implementation of UBQ plant to convert MSW into thermoplastic Based on UBQ’s patented technology and a pilot plant in Israel, this flagship will turn 95 ktons/year of waste into 72,000 ktons/year of thermoplastic tablets through a clean and efficient conversion process, to create a material that is made of 100% recycled content and carries a substantial climate-positive environmental footprint. DSEC’s mandate is a partial EPCM (Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management) set-up aiming to develop detailed process integration engineering wh...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Eight projects have been shortlisted to receive a share of the Green Fuels, Green Skies (GFGS) competition funding for the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) production plants in the UK. “ Green Fuels, Green Skies (GFGS) competition website ”. This competition was launched on 16 March 2021 by the Department for Transport (DfT) to support the development of the emerging UK sector on its pathway to production of SAF at scale. GFGS will provide up to 15 M£ in grant funding to UK SAF projects during the 2021/22 financial year. Specifically, it will look to support the early-stage development (FEED, Pre-FEED and Feasibility Study stages) of UK SAF plants. All selected projects have a clear potential to produce SAF capable of reducing emissions by more than 70% on a lifecycle basis, when used in place of a conventional fossil jet fuel. Advanced Biofuel Solutions Ltd Advanced Biofuel Solutions Ltd (ABSL) will work with a Briti...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. Microphyt, company focused on the production and marketing of microalgae-based bioactive ingredients, has announced the launch of SCALE, the world’s first fully-integrated microalgae biorefinery. This flagship action has received a grant of 15 M€, the single largest award from the BBI JU for sustainable aquatic production. Press release: “ Microphyt Announces Launch of SCALE, the world’s first fully-integrated microalgae biorefinery ”, 02/07/2021. Figure 1. The whole consortium met on June 30th, 2021 for the SCALE kick-off meeting in the presence of representatives of the European Commission. This project has received funding from the BBI JU under grant agreement 101023593. Located in Baillargues (near Montpellier in the South of France) the headquarters of Microphyt will be home to the flagship biorefinery, utilizing the CAMARGUE technology to produce and extract bioactive compounds, based on hydro-biomimetic principles. A CAMARGUE-based ...