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CBE JU-funded COUNTLESS project logo

COUNTLESS

Cost-effective prOdUction of ligNin plaTform chemicaLs Extending the biobaSed chemicalS portfolio

Project details

Type of project
Innovation Action - Demonstration
Project focus
Bio-based chemicals
Feedstock origin
Forestry waste
Feedstock type
Lignin & wood residues
Project period
1 September 2023 - 31 August 2027
Status
In progress
CBE JU Contribution
€ 5 400 014
Call identifier
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2022

Summary

Achievement of Europe’s sustainability and climate goals requires a transition from fossil-based to bio-based chemical building blocks. As an abundant natural resource, lignin has substantial potential to serve as a starting material for the production of functionalised aromatic compounds. However, only 1-2% of annual lignin production is used as aromatic chemical building blocks that provide an alternative to their fossil-based counterparts. 

Involving partners covering the entire value chain, COUNTLESS will demonstrate the first continuous process of its kind in industrially relevant conditions for the cost-effective and sustainable production of lignin-based platform chemicals. It will also show how such chemicals can be applied to a variety of end uses, leading to the conclusion of licensing agreements and generation of revenue streams. 

COUNTLESS aims to: 

  • demonstrate the continuous conversion of lignin, via catalytic hydrogenolysis, into platform chemicals at industrially relevant conditions (TRL 7); 

  • produce and demonstrate a range of construction and cosmetics products using the lignin-based platform chemicals; 

  • use digital tools for process monitoring and decision support related to product quality; 

  • prove the sustainability of the lignin-based value chain and its improved environmental impact, cost-effectiveness and cost competitiveness compared with fossil-based or other bio-based value chains; 

  • maximise exploitation of the COUNTLESS technologies; 

  • develop strategies to ensure market uptake of the project results. 

  • increase resource efficiency thanks to the use of a sustainable and underused biomass source (lignin) for chemical production; 

  • diversify the EU-produced and bio-based chemical portfolios through the cost-effective production of novel lignin-based platform chemicals; 

  • enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of the European chemical industry thanks to reduced dependence on aromatics from outside of the EU, substitution of fossil-based chemicals with bio-based alternatives and low-emission production processes with a clear pathway to carbon neutrality; 

  • increase market uptake and public acceptance of bio-based solutions resulting from demonstration of high-quality, sustainable platform chemicals for a wide range of applications. 

Consortium map

Project coordination

  • VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK N.V. Mol, Belgium

Consortium

  • SOPREMA S.R.L Chignolo D Isola, Italy
  • TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY Espoo, Finland
  • DAREN LABORATORIES & SCIENTIFIC CONSULTANTS LTD Nes Ziona, Israel
  • IFEU - INSTITUT FUR ENERGIE- UND UMWELTFORSCHUNG HEIDELBERG GGMBH Heidelberg, Germany
  • BRASKEM EUROPE GMBH Wesseling, Germany
  • FIBENOL IMAVERE OU Tallinn, Estonia
  • SOPREMA STRASBOURG, France
  • UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT Utrecht, Netherlands
  • CLUSTER INDUSTRIELLE BIOTECHNOLOGIE EV Dusseldorf, Germany
  • KASTAMONU ENTEGRE AGAC SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI Istanbul, Turkey
  • SOPREMA STRASBOURG, France
Partners
  • BLOOM BIORENEWABLES SA Marly, Switzerland