Next generation lignocellulosics biorefinery concepts and implementation (Next-BIOREF).

Utilization of biomass as a renewable feedstock to chemicals/materials is expected to become a key driver towards a future sustainable society. Biorefineries, converting non-edible lignocellulose, are central. Unraveling lignocellulose conversion to chemicals/materials is challenging; the chemical/physical phenomena are ill-understood, and formation of lignin-based products underexplored. Next-BIOREF strives to understand fractionation of lignocellulose into lignin oil and pulp, and their transformation into chemicals/materials. Lignin engineering is used to modify native lignin to facilitate such transformation. Cutting edge analytics enable thorough determination of the lignin structures, and novel techniques will be developed. The chemical/physical phenomena are investigated in detail delivering a comprehensive/predictive description of the refinery's outcome. New chemistry from lignin to building blocks for future polymers/composite materials, is proposed.

Keywords:SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY, CATALYSIS, COMPOSITE MATERIALS, SIMULATIONS

Disciplines:Organic chemical synthesis, Catalysis, Organic green chemistry, Industrial biotechnology not elsewhere classified

Project type:Collaboration project