Value Added Materials from Organic waste Sugars
Updated on 12.04.2023
The VAMOS project aims to showcase, at demonstration scale, the feasibility of producing and valorising second-generation sugars derived from municipal solid waste (MSW). It will create a number of new value chains by using the sugar for the production of a range of bio-based products for non-food applications.
More information
Sugar is one of the most essential raw materials, cultivated mainly for food and feed, but also for the manufacture of industrial chemicals and biofuels. Nearly 80 % of sugar production globally is from sugarcane, with the rest coming from sugar beet. This means the supply chain relies on crops with a high environmental and social impact, and is subject to supply and cost fluctuations. Second-generation sugars can help reverse this trend.
Despite some limitations (high dilution and low purity), these second-generation sugars are available from sources like MSW. This MSW is composed of either mixed domestic residual waste or waste rejected from sorting and recycling processes and contains significant quantities of paper/card (lignocellulosic) based materials. The sugar will be utilised in the production of three bio-based products; 1) a thermoset bio-resin used in the binding of mineral-wool insulation; 2) purified lactic acid for the commodities market; and 3) poly-lactic acid (PLA) and PLA/Fibre composite materials to be used in non-food contact applications within the fast-moving consumer goods, packaging, furnishings and construction sectors.
The vision is to create a paradigm shift in industrial biotechnology products by establishing a novel approach based on the efficient use of low-value mixed waste and the conversion of this material into value-added products. The project aims to produce competitive, sustainable, affordable and high-performance bio-based materials from low-value residual waste sugars.
Relevance for Circular Systemic Solutions
VAMOS aims to create a new cross-sectoral interconnection by converting the organic fraction of waste normally destined for landfill into bioproducts. These will find applications in the fast-moving consumer goods sector, construction, textile and furnishings industries. It will also define the basis for three new bio-based value chains using second-generation sugars and will create nine new demonstration products based on MSW sugar or MSW lignin. The project is relevant to cities and regions that are working on a Circular Systemic Solution that focuses on urban waste and bioeconomy and are exploring different applications across sectors and value chains.
Horizon programme(s) and/or topic(s)
Programme:
- H2020-EU.2.1.4. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Biotechnology
Topic:
- BBI.2018.SO2.D3 - Valorise sugars from the cellulosic and/or hemicellulosic fractions of lignocellulosic biomass
Responsible organisation and contact details
Oakdene Hollins Limited
Project consortium partners
- Fiberight Limited
- Celignis Limited
- EW Biotech GmbH
- AEP Polymers SRL
- Transfercenter fur Kunststofftechnik GmbH
- IFEU - Institut Fur Energie- Und Umweltforschung Heidelberg GgmbH
- Aberystwyth University
- Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine
- Novozymes A/S
- Knauf Insulation Limited
- Centre for Process Innovation Limited LBG
CEAP2 key product value chain
built environment, CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
e.g. chemicals, cosmetics, bio-based industries
e.g. electrical engineering, furniture and interior, textile and fashion
including bio-based economy
large 500 000-200 000, medium 200 000-50 000, and small cities 50 000-5 000
large metropolitan area >1.5 million, metropolitan area 1.5 million-500 000
e.g. commercial, residential, service, industrial
