Green Chemistry
Bio-based chemicals offer the potential to provide a renewable carbon source for the chemical sector. Thereby the dependency to fossile carbon sources and the greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact of the chemical sector can be reduced. These innovative bio-based chemicals can be used to produce bio-polymers for biodegradable bioplastics, but also for other applications such as bio-based resins.
Bioethanol
Miscanthus biomass is pretreated thermochemically and the lignin-rich fraction is seperated from cellulose and hemicellulose. The lignin-rich fraction can be used to supply electricity and heat for the bioethanol refinery or could be used for other applications, e.g. production of Phenols. The cellulose and hemicellulose fractions are enzymatically hydrolysed into C5 and C6 sugars and these sugars are fermented into bioethanol in a biotechnological process. Beside the biofuel application, bioethanol can be also used as chemical or solvent in industrial processes or consumer-products.
In GRACE, the complete bioethanol value chain was demonstrated successfully by INA in collaboration with Clariant. Bioethanol production using miscanthus cultivated on abandoned land in Croatia and sequestration of fermentation off-gases (CO2) in expired oil wells offer the potential to produce zero or even negative emission biofuel.
Bio-butanediol
Miscanthus biomass is pretreated thermochemically and the hemicellulose and cellulose fraction is hydrolysed into sugars. These sugars are converted into bio-butandiol in a biotechnological process. Butanediol is a platform chemical which is used in the chemical industry for the production of other chemical intermediates; in the textile, automotive and electronic sector for the production of consumer goods and to produce biopolymers for biodegradable bioplastics. Bio-based butanediol can create a virtuous system ensuring a very good environmental profile of the final applications.
In GRACE, Novamont tested second generation sugars from lignocellulosic biomass for bio-butandediol fermentation with very encouraging results. Second generation sugars from lignocellulosic biomass thereby offer the potential of feedstock diversification, which is an important measure to mitigate feedstock price fluctuations.
Azelaic Acid
Azelaic acid, received from plant oils, is a promising platform chemical for various chemical applications, such us for the production of biopolymers for biodegradable bioplastics.
In GRACE, Novamont demonstrated the upscaling of the azelaic acid production and developed novel, bio-based and biodegradable materials using Azelaic acid and butanediol. The application of such materials was demonstrated in an agricultural context and the resulting products were developed very close towards commercialisation.
HMF
Miscanthus biomass is pretreated thermochemically and the cellulose and hemicellulose is seperated from the lignin-rich fraction. While the lignin-rich fraction can be utilized for other applications e.g. production of phenols, the cellulose and hemicellulose is hydrolysed into sugars and finally converted into 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in another thermochemical reaction. HMF is a very promising renewable platform chemical, which can be used to produce a range of chemical products, including various bioplastics and bio-based resins.
In GRACE, the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into HMF and the separation of the HMF from the liquid solution was demonstrated successfully by the University of Hohenheim and AVA Biochem. Miscanthus biomass thereby proved to be an environmental sustainable and economic attractive feedstock to allow further commercialisation of this process.
Phenols
Miscanthus biomass is pretreated thermochemically and the lignin-rich fraction is seperated from cellulose and hemicellulose. The lignin-rich fraction is converted into phenols in a thermochemical process and the cellulose and hemicellulose can be used for other applications, e.g. HMF production. Phenols are a promising building block for the chemical industry and can be utilized e.g. for production of bioplastics and bio-based resins.
In GRACE, AVA Biochem developed a novel bio-based, formaldehyde-free resins using HMF and phenols and demonstrated its application in miscanthus fibre boards. Although the application conditions require further optimization, the further commercialisation of this formaldehyde-free resin in the wood- and furniture industry seems to be very promising and will be continued after the project end.
Funders
The GRACE project has received funding from the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 745012.