LIGNOFUN is a groundbreaking initiative founded on the transformative idea to replace fossil-derived aromatic chemicals with sustainable, lignin-based alternatives while addressing environmental challenges like greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. In the phase one, the project aims to advance two key lignin depolymerization technologies (METNIN and OHRIGINS) to industrially relevant scale (TRL6-7) and valorize low-value underutilized lignin from paper mills into valuable aromatic molecule rich streams. The second phase focuses on validation and TRL progression for each of these depolymerized streams into high-value demonstration prototypes (such as foams, nylon 66, adhesives, coatings, composites, wood panels, cosmetics, personal care products and rubber products), showcasing their potential for superior performance and economic viability. LIGNOFUN will also conduct a thorough impact assessment through process simulations and curated mass balance data, utilizing TEA, S-LCA, ssBD, and LCC analyses to optimize sustainability, economic feasibility, and social impact. The project’s robust consortium of 18 partners (7 SMEs, 1 large company, 9 RTOs, and 1 cluster) unites expertise from both industry and research, ensuring end-user engagement and the industrial adoption of results. By engaging stakeholders across the value chain, LIGNOFUN will foster industry uptake of sustainable, bio-based alternatives. The project will revolutionize lignin utilization and empower EU industries to reduce fossil dependence, driving sustainability, innovation, and competitiveness for a greener future.

The objective of BioRen is to develop techno-economical competitive drop-in biofuels for road transport from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). A higher value fuel is targeted: glycerol tertiary butyl ether (GTBE) is a promising fuel additive to both diesel and gasoline that improves engine performance and cuts harmful exhaust emissions (i.e. fine dust). It can be blended in higher amounts than e.g. ethanol, without having to change the engine. Bio-ethanol and bio-isobutanol from OFMSW are required intermediaries in this innovation path towards GTBE. Their specific business case as second generation drop-in fuel will be compared to the bio-GTBE business case, to select the most sustainable option for building a demo plant. The project will develop a pretreatment method, industrial 2G Saccharomyces strains that produce ethanol and isobutanol respectively and chemical dehydration to convert isobutanol into isobutene. The isobutene is converted into GTBE by adding Category 1 glycerol, another problematic waste stream. The resulting fuels (ethanol, isobutanol and GTBE) will be tested in engine tests to provide feedback regarding their performance, emission results and fuel use. This ambitious project is continuously monitored by LCA, techno-economic, market and regulatory and IP analysis in order to come up with a realistic business plan. The developed processes will be integrated in a revolutionary MSW treatment plant that combines the most efficient technologies of material reuse, and is currently looking into optimising the profitability of its organic waste fraction. The project consortium has all the required players to succeed: 3 RTO’s address the research challenges, 7 SMEs either bring in their technological developments or are a scale-up partner that bring the processes to min. TRL5. The project is led by a financial consultancy that invests in the MSW demonstration treatment plant.

The Icarus consortium has identified critical technology steps that at present limit the wider deployment of three Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production routes, namely: biocrude from hydrothermal liquefaction to SAF, isobutanol from lignocellulosic biomass to SAF and synthetic Fischer-Tropsh from biomass gasification to SAF. These three value chains have been strategically selected by Icarus since they are close to market deployment and are needed to meet European and international SAF deployment targets. Icarus aims to improve them with innovative solutions while at the same time addressing the whole value chain. Novel biomass production concepts such as sequential cropping and mix cropping are also addressed aiming to ensure increased sustainable biomass availability for SAF production. Along the complete value chain techno-economic, environmental, and social assessments will be carried out. Icarus has a very strong international consortium of 20 reputed partners including 5 from 3 Mission Innovation Countries (MIC) Canada, India and Brazil, who will carry out innovative research with common targets and objectives with the European ones ensuring international collaboration in this critical area. Two more partners from a 4th MIC, USA are joining research activities as members of the External Executive Advisory Board (EEAB). The Icarus results will significantly improve the cost effectiveness of SAF and therefore have global significance and reach and will facilitate scaling-up of these technologies and value chains enabling market deployment of SAF on a global scale. Guidelines, assessments, best practices and improved concepts will be used throughout the project to disseminate the results on global scale via targeted and effective dissemination and communication outreach activities to all stakeholders.