BioRefineries Blog

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. The first CBE JU call invited project proposals across 12 different topics, with the objective to advance competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe, as well as develop new circular and sustainable products and solutions for the market.  125 proposals were submitted to this call, requesting more than 600 M€ in funding. Based on the evaluation results and available CBE JU budget, 21 of them have been selected for funding: two innovation actions - flagships, eight innovation actions, ten research & innovation actions and one coordination & support action.  The successful applicants and the CBE JU Programme Office will now start preparing grant agreements to be signed by the end of May 2023 for a total amount of nearly 120  M€ . Press relase: " First 21 CBE JU projects selected for funding ", 16/01/2023.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Steeper Energy and Topsoe sign a global licensing agreement for Steeper’s Hydrofaction® technology, enabling Topsoe to offer a complete waste-to-fuel solution. Press release: " Steeper Energy Enters Agreement with Topsoe to Introduce Complete Waste-to-Biofuel Solution ", 26/01/2023 . The agreement grants Topsoe the right to sublicense Steeper’s Hydrofaction® technology, used for converting biomass to renewable biocrude oil.  The agreement accelerates the deployment of advanced biofuels produced from waste biomass such as residues from forestry and agriculture. This is a strong pathway to renewable fuels for the transportation sector including road, aviation and shipping. The agreement combines Topsoe’s unique technologies in renewable fuels and hydrogen production as well as decades of experience in engineering with Steeper’s proprietary Hydrofaction® technology and industry know-how.  With the agreement, Topsoe will be able to provide a complete ...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Henkel and Shell Chemical LP have agreed to a five-year collaboration to replace up to 200,000 tons of fossil feedstocks used in the manufacture of surfactants with feedstocks that are based on renewable raw materials. The renewable-based surfactants will be used in Henkel’s laundry product brands, including many varieties of Persil®, Purex® and all® brands. Surfactants are an ingredient in cleaning products that help lather and lift dirt. Press release: " Henkel signs agreement with Shell on renewable-based ingredients for Persil®, Purex® and all® brands ", 17/01/2023. Figure 1. Shell Chemical to manufacture renewable surfactants for Henkel Shell estimates that replacing up to 200,000 tons of fossil feedstocks with renewable feedstocks has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 120,000 tons of CO2eq over the length of the five-year agreement.  Starting in 2023, up to 200,000 tons of renewable feedstocks will be used by Shell du...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Montinutra has been granted a Circular Economy Investment Subsidy by Business Finland to build a first-of-a-kind plant to upcycle forest industry side streams. Press release: " 7 M€ funding decision from Business Finland for a plant implementation ", 18/01/2023. Figure 1.  Plant 3D draft / Feasibility study 2022 (taken from the press release) The company  develop new ingredients for future bioeconomy from  hemicellulose and lignin. Its  first ingredients will be launched under the brand Boreal Bioproducts® in personal care consumer products early 2023. This is possible with the production from our current pilot plant in Turku. Montinutra’s business model focuses on using side streams such as sawdust, wood processing residues or bark as feedstock. The production process is based on pressurized hot water extraction without the use of chemical solvents. This enables robust and cost-effective production of natural products with minimal enviro...