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Project

A new value chain for the Flemish bio-economy through inventive wood refining towards highly valuable agro-industrial chemicals (BioWood). (BioWood)

Europe’s bio-economy is rapidly growing and developing into new markets. For a long time, woody biomass is driving the bio-economy as feedstock for materials, bio-energy, and paper/pulp refining, but these established applications are currently under debate. Therefore, European and also Flemish woody biomass feedstock suppliers (e.g. waste management and processing companies) are seeking new markets for their underutilized wood (side) streams. At the same time, important Flemish industrial sectors such as the chemical and agro-industry are confronted with the need for more sustainable processes and eco-friendly products. Woody biomass has significant valorization potential towards new markets. It offers second-generation carbohydrate streams and lignin fractions for high-value applications. Although industry, as well as Flemish and EU policies are convinced of this potential, there is currently no successful commercialization of both carbohydrates and lignin for high-value applications. In this context, the main purpose of BioWood is creating a new and profitable wood-based value chain for the Flemish bioeconomy based on an inventive wood refining biofactory for the production of agroindustrial chemicals. 

Date:1 Jan 2018 →  31 Dec 2021
Keywords:wood refining towards highly valuable agro-industrial chemicals, Flemish bio-economy
Disciplines:Catalysis and reacting systems engineering, Chemical product design and formulation, General chemical and biochemical engineering, Process engineering, Separation and membrane technologies, Transport phenomena, Other (bio)chemical engineering, Applied economics, Plant biology