Efficient production of sustainable bio-based chemicals/materials by catalytic fractionation of forest residues

Important results from the project

We have identified the most promising value chains based on the core technology in our solution, catalytic fractionation of biomass. The production cost is 600-700 €/t to produce cellulose for textile fibers and lignin-based aromatics or thermoplastics from forest residues and by-products. This is competitive and the value chain is sustainable. Some fundamental technology development to improve feedstock flexibility remains before upscaling and industrialization can begin.

Expected long term effects

The project impact goal, after implementation of steps 1-3, is to contribute to the transition to a bio-economy by enabling investment in the first commercial facility based on catalytic fractionation of forest feedstocks to bio-based materials and chemicals. This first project step has identified a promising value chain with good performance that can form the basis for such an investment after further technology development and industrialization.

Approach and implementation

The technical work has been conducted in different work packages with focus on raw materials, fractionation technology and the two different product categories. This organization has required intensive interactions between work packages, due to major dependencies. Such interactions have worked well through frequent communication at various levels. In a second project phase, the value chain-wide technical development work was then synthesized in analyzes of production costs, sustainability and future development needs.