EUROpean multilevel integrated BIOREFinery design for sustainable biomass Processing system??
The EuroBioRef project (European Multilevel Integrated Biorefinery Design for Sustainable Biomass Processing) coordinated by CNRS, France, has just been launched on the 1st of March 2010 for a 4 years duration. EuroBioRef will deal with the entire process of transformation of biomass, from fields to final commercial products. It will involve 28 partners from 14 different countries into a highly collaborative work. The development and implementation of bio-refinery processes is an absolute necessity and the key to meet the vision towards bio-based economy. The EuroBioRef concept is an integrated, sustainable and diversified bio-refinery involving all biomass value chain stakeholders. The latter will allow large-scale research, testing, optimization and demonstration of processes in the production of a wide range of products with the dual aim to use all fractions of various biomasses and exploit their potential to produce the highest value possible in an eco-efficient and sustainable way. Moreover, the project attempts to overcome the efforts fragmentation of the whole biomass value chain requiring greater networking, coordination and cooperation among a large variety of actors from biochemical and chemical industry, SMEs, scientific knowledge chain, and European organizations. The new concept will adopt a flexible and a modular process design adapted to large- but also small-scale production units easier to install in various European areas. The overall efficiency of this approach will clearly exceed existing pathways and will consider sustainable options in order to:
- Produce and use a high diversity of sustainable biomasses adapted for European regions
- Produce high specific energy bio-jet fuels (42 MJ/kg)
- Produce multiple products (chemicals, polymers, materials) in a flexible and optimised way that take advantage of the differences in biomass components and intermediates
- Improve cost-efficiency by 30% through improved reaction and separation effectiveness, reduced capital investments, improved plant and feedstock flexibility, reduction of production time and logistics
- Reduce by 30% the energy
- Produce zero waste and rationalize use of raw materials
The impact of the project in terms of environment, social and economic benefits is important and could give a serious advantage for European bio-industry.