BBI2019.SO3.R9 – Develop bio-based fibres and/or functional molecules to improve the performance of textile products
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.R9
- Testing new mild processes - The call mentions that mild operating conditions should be targeted. Hence, if nanocellulose is targeted then it is worth investigating an enzymatic approach or a combinatorial mechano-enzymatic rather than relying on the more chemical/energy intensive conventional approaches. Through the expertise of our personnel in the use of enzymes and in the development of enzyme cocktails, we are well-positioned to advance the art in this space. We also have 6 pressurised liquid extractors, each of which can automatically extract up to 24 samples in sequence. These items of equipment can be used to fractionate cellulosic and hemicellulosic components for nanocellulose and hydrogels production.
- Analysis to optimise resource efficiency - It is also mentioned that a resource efficient process should be targeted. Optimising resource efficiency will require a detailed understanding of the full compositional profile of all process inputs and outputs at each node of the system. There also needs to be a full understanding of the fate of each biomass component and biopolymer at each stage. At Celignis we have wide-ranging experience in the analysis of all stages of biomass conversion processes. Our analytical data have been used to map in detail the transformations undertaken and this enhanced level of understanding has enabled key efficiency improvements to be implemented. We think that if our methodoligical approach is also applied within projects addressing this topic then similar process improvements can be expected.
- Testing of unconventional feedstocks - Such resources could include paper sludge and vegetal wastes. These could be used to produce biobased functional molecules/fibres.
- End of life properties - Celignis personnel can undertake a range of analysis methods to investigate the biodegradability of the products of this project. These tests can follow OECD guidelines (e.g. OECD301, 302, 306, 310 or equivalent methods) and determine both ready and inherent biodegradability.
Specific Challenge of BBI2019.SO3.R9
The global consumption of textile fibres is increasing rapidly. This market has been growing with an annual rate of approximately 4 %, reaching around 103 Mt in 201723. Synthetic and traditional natural bio-based fibres like cotton cannot meet the increasing demand in a context of limited resources. The production capacity of cotton, for example, is limited by sustainability constraints linked to resources consumption (land, water, fertilisers, pesticides, etc.).Concurrently, consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable high-quality textiles: from renewable feedstock, sustainably produced, and with clear end-of-life qualities to support a circular economy. Innovative bio-based yarns and textiles can enter and compete in the established textile markets by meeting all of consumers’ evolving sustainability requirements, combined with performance levels that exceed the state of the art.
In the same context, also bio-based additives for textiles have the potential to guarantee environmental sustainability while providing specific technical properties to meet consumers’ demand. Moreover, bio-based functional molecules can represent valuable, non-hazardous alternatives for fossil-based additives currently used in textile applications.
The new bio-based fibres, as well as improved or tailor-made bio-based additives, can, for example, provide better mechanical or physical properties than the existing fibres in specific applications.
The specific challenge is to meet market requirements for new textile products outperforming the state of the art in terms of technical properties and sustainability aspects.
Scope of BBI2019.SO3.R9
Develop innovative bio-based fibres and/or bio-based additives for textile applications that outperform conventional (synthetic or natural) counterparts in terms of both technical and sustainability performance.Proposals may address either bio-based fibres or bio-based additives, or both.
This topic excludes the use ‘as such’ of fibres and materials that already have a significant use in Europe. If proposals aim at these high-volume fibres and materials, the focus must be on innovative components (such as new bio-based additives) or treatments to improve their properties.
Proposals should target the fibre composition and its performance in specific applications, and/or functional molecules to improve the properties of specific textile products in identified applications. These functional bio-based molecules/additives can include colourants, flame retardants, water or gas proofing agents, UV and heat stability agents, fillers, photo- or thermo-reacting molecules, hydrophobic or hydrophilic agents, biocides, etc.
This topic includes any bio-based feedstock, provided it can be sourced in a way that is sustainable both from an environmental and an economic perspective.
Proposals should target mild operating conditions and resource-efficient processes to add sustainable processing steps to a value chain.
Proposals that focus on yarns should deliver new yarns that are compatible with conventional textile machinery.
Proposals should include an experimental validation of the proposed concept via direct comparison with existing comparable options.
Proposals should involve consumers, designers, trend influencers and/or specific end-user organisations to identify requested and feasible performance requirements in for example clothing, technical textiles and geotextiles.
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.