Successfully scaling up the sustainable and biodegradable materials is essential for the future growth of European industry. To compete with well-established fossil-based chemicals, biobased alternatives need to solve the triple equation of environmental, safe, economic and societal performance. At the same time it must be economically viable on an industrial scale and possess properties akin or superior to existing petroleum-derived analogues. Few biobased polymers have met this challenge. NEXT-STEP will build on the H2020 BioCatPolymers project to demonstrate a sustainable, safe and economically viable production process for a new chemical platform with large scale applications, notably in the bio-based polymer market. NEXT-STEP will use Harwdood sugars produced from sustainably managed forest at the flagship plant of the project partner Fibenol. NEXT-STEP has defined ambitious KPIs for its process regarding its economic performances as well as its Biomass and Energy efficiency. The new chemical platform, the 3-methyl-d-valerolactone (3MdVL) will improve the sustainability and recyclability of polyurethane (PU) products and unlock new engineering plastic applications for Polylactic acid (PLA) co-polymers. Together with its derivate 3-methyl 1,5-pentanediol (3MPD), the 3MdvL can also be used as a biobased polyol component in the traditional PU and other plastic production processes. NEXT-STEP will demonstrate the applicability of its chemical platform by demonstrating its use as a feedstock for the production of (i) Polylactic acid (PLA) co-polymers for shoe outsole, and of (ii) recyclable Non Isocyanate Polyurethane foams for shoe mid-sole and insulation materials applications. Five other applications will be selected for demonstration together with the polymer industry during the project.

Mevaldi, established in 2020, is revolutionizing bio-based chemical technologies to meet the increasing demand for sustainable and circular materials, driven by EU regulations and market needs. Our company is scaling up an innovative hybrid bio-thermochemical process that converts sugars into mevalonolactone (MVL) and subsequently into high-value bio-based monomers like 3MPD (3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol). As a critical building block in the production of specialty polyols, 3MPD enables the formulation of advanced polyurethanes which are essential for end-use applications such as coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE). Mevaldis bio-3MPD offers superior properties, including enhanced elasticity, hydrolysis resistance, and durability, making it a game-changer for high-performance CASE applications. With its cost-effective, 100% biobased product, Mevaldi addresses a monopolistic market constrained by reliance on isoprene production, while its scalable solution positions it as a sustainable alternative to hexanediol and fossil-based 3MPD.