Biomass-usage for the bioeconomy is mainly focused on raw materials based on sugar or starch, which are associated with high costs for the environment in terms of land use, energy and resource consumption. However, cities and rural regions hold great potential of biowaste streams which, due to their heterogeneity, are currently valorised to a limited extent or used exclusively in low-value applications.

As opposed to current sugar/starch-dominated bioeconomy schemes, the CAFIPLA project relies on the combination of a Carboxylic Acid Platform (CAP) and Fibre Recovery Platform (FRP), to valorise biomass into biochemicals, bioproducts, feed and biomaterials. As such, CAFIPLA presents an innovative approach to improving the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of pre-treatment.

The three-year CAFIPLA project will radically alter the biomass pre-treatment approach for bioeconomy applications. Current biomass use comes at a high cost, either in terms of land use (sugar/starch crops) or energy and chemical use (second generation biomass). On the other hand, biowaste is massively produced in an urban or rural context but almost not valorised, or solely in low-value applications, in part due to its heterogenous nature.

CAFIPLA tackles both issues by developing an integrated biomass valorisation strategy that combines the Carboxylic Acid and Fibre Recovery Platforms (CAP/FRP). CAFIPLA firstly optimises the separation of the easily biodegradable fraction and recalcitrant biomass, as input for the CAP and FRP, respectively.

This allows the implementation of tailored valorisation strategies for both routes, which in turn allows the use of heterogeneous biowaste as input, while still ensuring high overall yields. In the CAP, research will focus on process control strategies to obtain specific spectra of carboxylic acids to feed into bioproduction of microbial protein, PHA or caproic acid bio-oil. In the FRP, fractionation into different fibre ranges will result in intermediates that can be valorised as packaging material or insulation. A TRL5 pilot will demonstrate the CAFIPLA upscaling potential.

CAFIPLA represents a radically new approach for bioeconomy applications by approaching biomass use more pragmatically. This approach, which centres on the integration of two platforms, allows tailor-made solutions. This improves the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of pre-treatment (ambient pressure/temperature, low chemical use, biowaste as input material).

CAFIPLA will furthermore study the biomass supply chain and the business models for future implementation. The well-balanced consortium, including seven small and medium-sized enterprises on 13 participants, will ensure successful research and impact on the bioeconomy well beyond the project consortium and timing.

The CAFIPLA project is developing an integrated pre-treatment process to convert heterogeneous biowaste into building blocks for the bio-based economy. It aims to establish new cross-sectoral interconnections in the bio-based economy, providing the link between three primary sectors – municipal organic waste, agriculture and industry. It will also link five bioeconomy sectors – bioplastics, feed, fertiliser, insulation and packaging.

It also aims to create six new bio-based value chains derived from mixed biowaste. These will extend to organic fertilisers, feed additives, bio-plasticisers, bioplastics, bio-composts and insulation materials. The project also hosts the CAFIPLA Stakeholder platform, which aims to promote exchange and provide information between experts on new technologies for obtaining bio-based chemicals and products from biowaste. The project is relevant to cities and regions that are working on a Circular Systemic Solution related to valorising biowaste and are looking for innovative solutions and approaches targeting various sectors and value chains.

Programme:

• H2020-EU.3.2. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy

Topic:

• BBI-2019-SO2-R2 - Develop breakthrough technologies to improve the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of pre-treatment steps within biorefining operations

Fundacion Tecnalia Research & Innovation

• DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnutzige GmbH
• Idelux Environnement
• Biopract GmbH
• Universitaet fuer Bodenkultur Wien
• Fibres recherche developpement
• Leibniz-Institut fur Agrartechnik und Biookonomie EV
• Universiteit Gent
• Biotrend-Inovacao e Engenharia em Biotecnologia SA
• Avecom
• Dechema Gesellschaft fur Chemischetechnik und Biotechnologie
• OWS Research Foundation PS