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BeonNAT

Innovative value chains from tree & shrub species grown in marginal lands as a source of biomass for bio-based industries

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Project details

Type of project
Research & Innovation Action
Project focus
Bio-based chemicals
Feedstock origin
Forestry waste
Feedstock type
Lignin & wood residues
Project period
1 July 2020 - 30 June 2025
Status
Completed
CBE JU Contribution
€ 4 980 430,28
Call identifier
H2020-BBI-JTI-2019

Summary

Despite being one of the largest markets in the world for biochemicals, very few biomass-derived compounds are being developed here in Europe. However, the bioresources – particularly in the form of forest biomass – are abundantly available. These offer a high-quality, low-cost feedstock for a range of industries and applications.

However, one of the challenges of forest biomass is to avoid adverse effects on, or excessive competition with, existing bio-based sectors that also rely on forests, such as the pulp and paper industry. It must also not impinge on land required for food production. The solution, therefore, is to use so-called ‘marginal land’: land with strong biophysical constrains where the cost of cultivation outstrips the value of the crop.

The BeonNAT project set out to demonstrate the viability of the use of such marginal lands – estimated at a total area of more than 4 million km2 in the EU28 – to source forest biomass for the production of high added value bio-products. It planted tree and shrub species in relevant locations. As well as providing a source of biomass, the BeonNAT project contributed to protecting biodiversity and improving soil fertility and organic carbon stocks. In addition to providing excellent economic opportunities for Europe’s bio-based economy, it aimed to create new jobs in rural areas, helping reduce the risk of depopulation.

More information

  • Added-value bio-based products: create added-value bio-based products by growing underused tree and shrub species in marginal land areas in Germany, Romania and Spain.

  • Species selection: select the most promising underutilised tree and shrub species, based on their ecological requisites and chemical profile, with six species from two origins at each of the three sites.

  • Biomass supply chain: fully secure the forest-based biomass supply chain needed to feed biorefineries, while pursuing sustainable harvesting and logistical techniques.

  • Cultivation systems: assess the relative benefits of intercropping and mixed plantations in marginal forest or agricultural land compared with monospecific growing in each of the three countries.

  • Marginal land: define suitable agricultural and forest marginal land in Spain, Germany and Romania to grow the BeonNAT feedstock, and identify potential marginal lands in each country to ensure future supply.

Results

  • Eight validated forest-based value chains: advanced eight new value chains from species selection and field establishment to pilot-scale validation, demonstrating the potential of marginal lands in Spain, Germany and Romania.

  • Sustainable biomass production: selected 13 tree and shrub species and established intercropping plantations across six sites, covering 4 hectares per country. Developed harvesting, storage and supply protocols to ensure a continuous biomass supply.

  • Innovative bio-based products and prototypes: developed and tested a range of products, including essential oils, vegetal extracts, biochar, activated carbon, pet litter absorbents, PLA-based packaging and particleboards.

  • Market and business potential: completed life cycle assessments, techno-economic analyses and market studies, identifying essential oils, biochar and pet litter absorbents as the most promising products for short- to medium-term commercialisation.

Impacts

  • Bio-based chemical production: increased the supply of bio-based chemicals by exploiting previously untapped land resources.

  • Cross-sectoral collaboration: established new connections between the chemical, cosmetics, healthcare, pet care and packaging sectors.

  • Innovative bio-based value chains: developed new value chain approaches through alternative feedstock sources, prototypes, green extraction and purification technologies, and innovative materials and products.

  • Technological advancement: validated and advanced processing technologies from TRLs 2–3 towards TRL 4 and ultimately TRL 6.

  • Environmental sustainability: diversified forest-based biomass resources, avoided indirect land-use change, supported biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, reduced deforestation and contributed to climate change mitigation.

Consortium map

Project coordination

  • CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES ENERGETICAS MEDIOAMBIENTALES Y TECNOLOGICAS MADRID, Spain

Consortium

  • IDOASIS 2002 SL MADRID, Spain
  • ENVIROHEMP SL Puente La Reina, Spain
  • UNIVERSITATEA STEFAN CEL MARE DIN SUCEAVA Suceava, Romania
  • FUNDACION CENTRO DE SERVICIOS Y PROMOCION FORESTAL Y DE SU INDUSTRIA DE CASTILLA Y LEON Soria, Spain
  • AIMPLAS - ASOCIACION DE INVESTIGACION DE MATERIALES PLASTICOS Y CONEXAS Paterna, Spain
  • CONSORZIO PER LA RICERCA E LA DIMOSTRAZIONE SULLE ENERGIE RINNOVABILI Scarperia E San Piero, Italy
  • NNFCC LIMITED YORK, United Kingdom
  • LABORATORIOS MAVERICK SL Ulldecona, Spain
  • CONTACTICA SL MADRID, Spain
  • EL JARPIL SL Almeria, Spain
  • UNIVERSIDADE POLITECNICA DE BRAGANCA BRAGANCA, Portugal
  • LEIBNIZ-INSTITUT FUR AGRARTECHNIK UND BIOOKONOMIE EV Potsdam, Germany
  • BRANDENBURGISCHE TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT COTTBUS-SENFTENBERG Cottbus, Germany
  • ASOCIACION PARA LA CERTIFICACION ESPANOLA FORESTAL - PEFC ESPANA Madrid, Spain
  • TOLSA SA Madrid, Spain