BBI2019.SO3.D3 – Produce bio-based functional ingredients and additives for high-end markets
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.SO3.D3
- Analysis of oligomers - We have experience in the compositional analysis of oligosaccharides obtained from the pre-treatment and conversion of biomass and food residues. Some oligomers (e.g. arabinoxylan oligosaccharides, AXOS) have been shown to have beneficial prebiotic functional properties. Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (SCFOS) are sugar substitutes that have also been shown to have prebiotic nutraceutical properties. Within this project we could delve much deeper into the structural and biochemical properties of these oligomers and suggest means in which process conditions can be optimised so that oligomers of improved composition, structure, and functionalities can be targeted.
- Seaweed extraction - At Celignis we have analysed many different seaweed samples covering the red, green, and brown algal classes from numerous locations around the world. We are very familiar with the chemistry of seaweed and the high-value products that can recovered from seaweed extracts. Within this topic we can explore approaches for the fractionation and recovery of such target molecules. We have 6 pressurised liquid extractors, each of which can automatically extract up to 24 samples in sequence, that will allow us to undertake a high-throughput series of experiments for process optimisation.
- Functional property tests - We can undertake tests for a wide range of parameters including: sensitivity to temperature and pH; antioxidant properties; water-holding capacity etc.
- Amino acids analysis - We currently offer a number of analysis packages that help to determine the amino acid composition of biomass and seaweed.
Specific Challenge of BBI2019.SO3.D3
Several market sectors utilise functional ingredients and additives to achieve the desired functionality and performance of their consumer products. Specialty, functional molecules are required to meet market requirements in sectors as diverse as cosmetics, flavours and fragrances, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, medicine, beverages, food and feed.In consumer products, especially those related to personal and home care, food and beverages, consumers are demanding functional natural products and ingredients. In industrial products, bio-based formulations open interesting opportunities for better performance and higher sustainability.
In addition, bio-based value chains based on regionally sourced biomass feedstock offer interesting opportunities to meet requirements from consumers and industry in different market sectors and realise maximum benefits for the local society.
The specific challenge is to create integrated value chains with the appropriate business models to produce functional ingredients and additives.
Scope of BBI2019.SO3.D3
Demonstrate the efficient production of functional ingredients and additives from sustainably sourced biomass feedstock streams through new value chains and business models that provide maximal benefits to the society.The scope includes useable biomass feedstock from any sustainable source, thus including residual streams from food production and processing, production of beverages, biowaste, etc.
Proposals should include any relevant and applicable technology to obtain the desired ingredients and additives.
The integrated value chain should be based on a business model that includes the conversion of the biomass feedstock into different intermediates, applying a cascading approach where appropriate to maximise the revenues and societal benefits. Production of low-value by-products should be kept to a minimum.
Proposals should demonstrate a guaranteed supply of sufficient biomass feedstock (considering regionality, seasonality, sustainability and legal constraints if needed) to meet demand for resulting products in a way that is sustainable from both an environmental and an economic perspective. Proposals should address all requirements for IA - demonstration actions as shown in Table 3 in the Introduction.
The technology readiness level (TRL) at the end of the project should be 6-7. Proposals should clearly state the starting and end TRLs of the key technology or technologies targeted in the project.