Designing the Next Generation of Bio-Refineries

The EuroBioRef project (European Multilevel Integrated Biorefinery Design for Sustainable Biomass Processing) coordinated by CNRS, France, was launched on March 1 and will run for four years. It is supported by a €23 million funding from the EU's 7th Framework Program, and will deal with the entire process of transformation of biomass, from fields to final commercial products. It will involve 28 partners from 14 different countries into a highly collaborative work.

"This program is an excellent opportunity to fill the gap between agriculture and chemical industry," said the project coordinator, Prof. Franck Dumeignil, UCCS, France. "It integrates the whole biomass chain into a commercial viable and adaptable approach, allowing a sustainable bio-economy in Europe.

Dumeignil said that through the collaboration, Europe will be able to compete with the major international actors by proposing novel innovative technologies. Further, it constitutes also an occasion for creating fruitful and fair partnerships between Europe and tropical countries in this high-tech domain, he said.

Companies such as Umicore will also play a role in the project through the development and manufacturing of novel Ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts for a cost-effective chemical transformation of feedstock. Umicore's Precious Metals Chemistry business unit additionally brings in its independent access to Nobel-prized metathesis technology and decades of expertise in catalyst manufacturing.

New synergies, cost efficiencies and improved methods will be achieved by involving the stakeholders at all levels: large and small (bio)chemical industries, academics and researchers from the whole biomass value chain, as well as European organizations. Large-scale research, testing, optimization and demonstrations of processes in the production of a range of products design adapted to large- and small-scale production units, which will be easier to install in various European areas.