UNRAVEL · UNique Refinery Approach to Valorise European Lignocellulosics

UNRAVEL aims to develop advanced pre-treatment, separation and conversion technologies for complex lignocellulosic biomass to produce usable lignin fragments, and monomeric sugars from the cellulose and hemicellulose fraction suitable for biochemical conversions. The technologies will be scaled up from lab (TRL 3) to pilot plant (TRL 5). UNRAVEL will achieve a breakthrough in the valorisation of lignocellulosic biomass by:• Utilizing complex lignocellulosic biomass sources such as forest residues, bark, straw, and nut shells • Recovering valuable components by feedstock pre-extraction prior to fractionation• Achieving at least 80% lignin yield, 90% glucan recovery from the cellulose and 80% yield of monomeric hemicellulose sugars by utilizing the TNO FABIOLA™ low temperature, energy-efficient acetone based fractionation process• Purifying the hemicellulose hydrolysate and qualifying it for fermentation into chemical building blocks• Developing lignin depolymerisation technologies• Establishing high-value lignin applications through the production of lignin-based PUR & PIR foams and lignin-based additives in bitumen for roofing applications• Demonstrating a 30% OPEX and 15 % carbon footprint reduction of the pre-treatment UNRAVEL will develop an integrated cross-sector value chain by bringing together specialists with expertise on feedstock composition, chemical pulping and pre-treatment, enzymes production, polymer chemistry, separation and reactor engineering, techno-economic and sustainability assessments and knowledge dissemination and exploitation and communication. The active involvement of three SME's and two large enterprises, active in wood pulping and the production of lignin-based building materials, strengthens a market-driven approach and commercial exploitation and implementation of the results generated in the UNRAVEL project.