SOLRESS

Innovative biotech routes for efficient bio-based solvent production promoting a safe and sustainable European industry.

Project details

Type of project: Innovation Action - Demonstration
Project focus: Bio-based chemicals
Feedstock origin: Forestry waste
Other and new
Feedstock type: Cellulose
Food industry sidestreams
Lignin & wood residues
Pure sugars

Project period: 1 September 2025 - 31 August 2029
Status: Upcoming
CBE JU Contribution: € 7 044 900,00
Call identifier: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2024

Summary

Chemical reactions and many of the procedures of separation and purification employed in industry, research, or chemistry utilize solvents massively. Many industries rely on chemical solvents made from fossil fuels, which pose risks to both human health and the environment. With growing concerns over climate change, pollution, and resource depletion, the need for greener alternatives is becoming increasingly urgent.

SOLRESS is developing an innovative biorefinery system to produce commonly used solvents such as ethyl acetate, ethyl lactate, and butyl acetate from renewable sources, including coffee waste and plant biomass. These safer, bio-based solvents will replace harmful chemicals in industries, including paints, coatings, cosmetics, and recycling, while SOLRESS also explores efficient, cost-competitive production methods.

By scaling these bio-based solvents, SOLRESS aims to support the shift towards a more sustainable and affordable chemical sector, helping industries adopt greener practices without compromising performance.

Develop effective pretreatment processes for coffee grounds and white birch chips to recover pure sugar streams for fermentation processes.
Optimise bioprocesses to convert CO2 and hydrolysates into organic acids (lactic and acetic acid), improving sustainability and efficiency.
Improve the sustainability and efficiency of downstream processing (DSP) by integrating electrochemical methods for acetic and lactic acid extraction.
Scale up bioethanol and biobutanol production from lignocellulosic feedstocks for bio-solvent synthesis.
Demonstrate esterification reactions and assess their effectiveness to produce bio-based solvents from organic acids and alcohols.
Scale up furfural production from hemicellulose to create bio-based solvents and valuable by-products.
Produce and validate bio-based solvents from waste and second-generation sugars for use in industrial applications, replacing traditional solvents.
Reduce environmental impact by using sustainable feedstocks, recycling solvents, and improving production processes.
Share project results and innovations through workshops, conferences, and publications to foster industry uptake and societal impact.

Use improved biotech and chemical processes to convert biomass into bio-based solvents, replacing fossil fuels and first-generation sugar-based solvents in certain applications.
Transform more than one tonne of wood and one tonne of coffee waste into 400 litres of ester bio-based solvents and 50 litres of furfural bio-based solvents, which will be tested in key industrial applications as alternatives to fossil-based solvents.
Recycle 100,000 tonnes of coffee and wood waste annually, producing up to 50,000 tonnes of bio-based solvents.
Generate over €100 million in revenue and create over 300 jobs.
Raise awareness and boost consumer support for safe, sustainable, and circular bio-based solvents.