BBI2019.SO1.R1 – Use tree species and/or varieties to create new bio-based value chains
Background
This is a topic in the 2019 work programme of the Biomass Based Industries Joint Undertaking which was launched in April 2019. The deadline for submitting proposals to this call is September 4th 2019, with the results expected by the end of the year and projects expected to start in 2020.Celignis is an SME that was spun-out from an EU research project (the FP7 advanced biofuels project DIBANET) that was written and coordinated by Celignis's founder Daniel Hayes. It has now been five years since the end of that project and over that time Celignis has grown in size and reputation and now occupies a valuable niche as being the premier analytical provider to clients in the biomass sector. We provide a wide range of compositional analysis services and bioprocessing expertise to a diverse array of customers (including SMEs, multinationals, and universities) looking to utilise biomass feedstocks, residues and wastes for the production of biobased products, biofuels, and energy.
But we have not lost sight of the importance of science and in advancing the start of the art. We were born from pioneering research and we are still passionately committed to playing our part in advancing the bioeconomy. As a result we continue to be highly active in European research projects and are particularly excited by the calls presented in the 2019 BBI work programme.
Celignis is a partner in 2 ongoing BBI projects, BIOrescue and UNRAVEL. These are RIA (Research and Innovation Action) projects. Click here to read more about our involvements in these BBI projects. Celignis is also a partner in an Innovation Action (i.e. Demonstration scale) BBI project that is currently in the Grant Agreement stage and is expected to start in September 2019. In addition to these BBI projects, Celignis is also a partner in the Horizon 2020 Coordinating and Supporting Action project ENABLING. As we are a spin-out company from an EU research project we are well-versed in the preparation of proposals and in the implementation of projects.
Below we present a summary of this topic and indicate how Celignis could be a valuable project partner. Click here to see more details on our relevant expertise as well as summaries of how we can contribute to the other topics in the 2019 BBI work programme.
Contributions Celignis can Make to BBI2019.SO1.R1
- High throughput sample screening - We would be an excellent partner for proposals in this topic due to our extensive expertise in developing rapid analysis models. These potentially allow for hundredes of samples to be scanned per week. Our existing algorithms for the prediction of lignocellulosic composition, already trained on hundreds of tree samples including hardwood and softwood species, can be used to select the most promising species and varieties, according to the desired compositional profile. These models have not only been trained on wood chips but also on various fractions of trees (e.g. bark, debarked wood, foliage, tops, branches etc.) each of which may have different compositions and so require different conditions for optimal valorisation. We can also apply other chemometric techniques, e.g. principle component analysis of NIR spectra, to undertake discriminant analysis between samples according to a variety of classifications.
- Expertise in processing samples from the forestry sector - The main feedstocks in our ongoing BBI project UNRAVEL are wood chips and forestry residues. We have a lot of experience in the analysis and fractionation of these types of materials and have a deep understanding of their chemistry and lignocellulosic matrix.
- Extractives analysis - In UNRAVEL we are also undertaking detailed analysis of the range of extractives present in the products and residues of the forestry sector. These can be numerous and diverse and vary greatly between different tree species, varieties, and between different parts of the tree. Some of these extractives can be of high value and potentially warrant fractionation/extraction and separation/purification steps within the biorefinery. We can build on our expertise in all of these disciplines, developed in UNRAVEL, in order to screen and then develop an optimised extractive recovery protocol for selected target compounds.
- Reviewing underutilised feedstocks - One of our deliverables in the ongoing BBI project BIOrescue involved the selection of candidate underutilised feedstocks in Europe for processing in the biorefining technologies being developed. We can apply and refine the protocol employed in that project for the review and evaluation of potential candidate underutilised tree species.
Specific Challenge of BBI2019.SO1.R1
The forest-based sector has the potential to mobilise new biomass feedstock for the bio-based industry by using as yet underutilised tree biomass from both coniferous and non-coniferous species. Leaving the traditional applications of wood intact, the envisaged tree species and varieties could lay the groundwork for cultivating and using new feedstock for the bio-based industry.The specific challenge is to identify as yet underutilised tree species and/or varieties that may have the largest impact in expanding and diversifying the forest-based feedstock for the bio-based industry.
Scope of BBI2019.SO1.R1
Identify and screen tree species and/or varieties (both coniferous and non-coniferous) capable of growing as new wood-based feedstock for the bio-based industry without compromising existing forest-based value chains.Proposals should describe the methods of selecting the appropriate tree species and/or varieties to fit their adaptability to the changing environment, availability, quality and logistics with targeted products and applications. The envisaged value chains based on the new feedstocks should be sustainable and lead to bio-based products that can compete with existing fossil-based alternatives.
The scope of this topic excludes energy carriers (such as liquid fuels or hydrogen) as the main products.
Proposals should specifically involve the primary sector actors so as to benefit from their knowledge and expertise, and to secure their support for the outcomes.
Proposals should aim to include currently underutilised land for growing the new feedstock for the bio-based sector or at growing new advantaged species/varieties on already utilised land and include the benefits of the new feedstock. In this framework, proposals should also include biodiversity and land use change impact studies aiming to assess whether (or not) land exploitation and management for such new feedstock does entail any impacts.
Proposals should address all requirements for RIA as shown in Table 3 in the Introduction. The technology readiness level (TRL) at the end of the project should be 4-5 for the bio-based value chain in question. Proposals should clearly state the starting and end TRLs of the key technology or technologies targeted in the project.
Industry participation in the project would be considered as an added value because it can play a supportive role to demonstrate the potential for integrating the developed concepts and technologies into current industrial landscapes or existing plants so they can be deployed more quickly and scaled up to apply industry-wide.