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Zelcor

Zero Waste Ligno-Cellulosic Biorefineries by Integrated Lignin Valorisation

Project details

Type of project
Research & Innovation Action
Project focus
Bio-based chemicals
Feedstock origin
Agri-food waste
Forestry waste
Feedstock type
Food industry sidestreams
Lignin & wood residues
Project period
1 October 2016 - 28 February 2021
Status
Completed
CBE JU Contribution
€ 5 256 993,00
Call identifier
H2020-BBI-PPP-2015-02

Summary

Lignocellulosic feedstocks (dry matter plant biomass) are commonly used in the production of biofuels and bio-based chemicals. However, a major disadvantage of these feedstocks is the presence of substantial amounts of lignin, an aromatic polymer that is difficult to break down. This so called "recalcitrance" means lignocellulosic feedstock is often considered primarily as a waste product, utilised to produce energy through burning.

The Zelcor project intends to demonstrate the feasibility of transforming lignocellulose recalcitrant side streams (lignocellulosic residues from ethanol production, lignins dissolved during pulping and lignin-like humins formed by sugars conversion) into high added-value bio-based products, including fine chemicals. This will be achieved by combining chemical and enzymatic catalysis with insect-based bioconversion.

Demonstrating of the project's feasibility will be performed by process scaling-up, formulation of end-product prototypes and value chain sustainability and safety assessment.

Consortium map

Project coordination

  • INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE POUR L'AGRICULTURE, L'ALIMENTATION ET L'ENVIRONNEMENT PARIS CEDEX 07, France

Consortium

  • INSTITUT NATIONAL DE L ENVIRONNEMENT INDUSTRIEL ET DES RISQUES - INERIS Verneuil En Halatte, France
  • ARTERRA BIOSCIENCE SPA Napoli, Italy
  • INSTITUT NATIONAL DES SCIENCES APPLIQUEES DE TOULOUSE Toulouse, France
  • NOVA-INSTITUT FUR POLITISCHE UND OKOLOGISCHE INNOVATION GMBH HURTH, Germany
  • AVANTIUM SUPPORT BV Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • AVANTIUM CHEMICALS BV Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR Espoo, Finland
  • YNSECT EVRY, France
  • BIOME TECHNOLOGIES PLC Southampton, United Kingdom
  • TEREOS PARTICIPATIONS Origny Sainte-Benoite, France
  • INSTITUT NATIONAL DES SCIENCES ET INDUSTRIES DU VIVANT ET DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT - AGROPARISTECH PALAISEAU, France
  • UNIVERSITE PARIS XII VAL DE MARNE Creteil, France
  • UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK COVENTRY, United Kingdom
  • UNIVERSITE D'AIX MARSEILLE Marseille, France
  • Quantis Sarl Renens VD, Switzerland
  • SABIC PETROCHEMICALS BV Sittard, Netherlands
  • STICHTING WAGENINGEN RESEARCH Wageningen, Netherlands
Former member
  • ARDILLA TECHNOLOGIES UK LTD HASSOCKS, United Kingdom
  • INRAE TRANSFERT SAS PARIS, France
  • W 42 INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY GMBH Dortmund, Germany