European Companies Search Engine
EU funding (€7,451,946): Demonstration of solvent and resin production from lignocellulosic biomass via the platform chemical levulinic acid Hor 1 Sept 2016 EU Research and Innovation programme "Horizon"
Overview
Text
Demonstration of solvent and resin production from lignocellulosic biomass via the platform chemical levulinic acid
The GreenSolRes project demonstrates the levulinic acid (LVA) value chain of lignocellulosic feedstocks to high-value products in a 3-step approach on TRL 6. First, a demonstration plant in Biorefinery of RWTH Aachen will be designed and build for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to the platform chemical levulinic acid. Levulinic acid hydrolysate separation enables more efficient and purer levulinic acid production. In a 2nd step the versatile platform chemical levulinic acid is hydrogenated to 2-methyltetrathydrofuran (2-MTHF), gamma-valerolactone (GVL) and 1-methyl-1,4-butanediol (MeBDO) in a direct process developed by RWTH Aachen. These can be produced in the same reactor with a single catalyst by tuning the process conditions. In parallel, BASF will investigate the conversion of LVA esters to MeBDO and GVL. Third, the application of the products as solvents is validated in adhesives and the pharma sector as substitute of their less sustainable C4-analogues. Additionally, HENKEL studies the development of respective new polymers with improved properties. The basic engineering of first commercial plants for these steps supports rapid upscaling and exploitation after the project. This will release these products from the niche markets they are confined to due to ineffective existing production routes. At competitive prices compared to their petrochemical C4-counterparts these chemicals and related products will boost the bio-based market as they have a high greenhouse gas emission avoidance of at least 70% and an additional value to society via better health & safety properties. The whole value chain from e.g. forestry residues to consumer products is assessed for environmental sustainability, risks and health & safety to support business case development and market implementation.
Funded Companies:
| Company name | Funding amount |
| Basf SE | €908,326 |
| GFB Europe B.V. | €0.00 |
| Gfbiochemicals Italy S.p.A. | €0.00 |
| Henkel KGaA | €423,259 |
| Hybrid Catalysis B.V. | €505,210 |
| Leibniz Institut Fuer Katalyse e. V. | €797,563 |
| Lenzing AG | €37,013 |
| Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen | €3,492,895 |
| Syncom Forschungs-UND Entwicklungsberatung GmbH | €442,947 |
| Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek N.V. | €635,050 |
Source: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/720695
The filing refers to a past date, and does not necessarily reflect the current state.