Projects
Projects by BIOCON
Coupling CO2 and renewable electricity to produce green gas
Objective
eFuel aims to develop a new and robust technology for converting CO2 emitted from biogas plants and H2 produced from electrolysis into methane using trickle filter-bed reactors. Attention is given to the microbial community dynamics to ensure process stability and high bioconversion rates.
Background
In the transition from a fossil fuel based system to the wind- and solar based electricity supply system, a challenge is to store energy and balance the electricity. Converting CO2 and H2 to CH4 and using the existing gas infrastructure as storage is a promising and cost-effective solution. In eFuel, an innovative concept for biomethanation is developed in the form of a bio-trickling filter as a technically robust, cost-effective, competitive and superior alternative to existing state of the art methanation technologies. Exploitation of existing, robust and well-known reactor technology is followed to eliminate technical reactor design challenges. The outcome can be beneficial for society, as the Danish biomass resources could sufficiently cover the gas needs in 2050 if biogas is fully upgraded with hydrogen. Thus, the project contributes on sustainable energy supply for a future bio-based society.
Partners
- NGF Nature Energy Biogas A/S
- Syddansk Universitet
- Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
- Biogasclean A/S
- Biogasclean Asis Co., Ltd.
- ERHVERVSHUS FYN P/S
Time-schedule
01/01/2019 - 01/03/2023
Funding agency
EUDP
Website
Residuals from coffee and sisal production – from waste to value-added products
Objective
The main objective is to develop new platform technologies to strengthen circular bioeconomy and contribute to capacity building in East Africa. Agricultural residues will thus be converted to high value products such as composites, edible mushrooms, enzymes and biogas.
Background
In the equatorial East African region (EA) including Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia, agriculture accounts for 80%, with coffee and sisal as the most important crops with 600 kiloton coffee and 100 kiloton sisal ropes produced annually.
The related crop processing generates huge quantities of organic residues that form the bulk of waste products from Agro-processing in the region. The huge amounts of high organic containing wastewaters which are just desposed in ponds sieve away contaminating the underground.
Moreover, the value of the product is relatively low and it could with appropriate research be upcycled to more valuable composite materials which could find more advanced applications and have a much higher price. In addition, the problem is many toxic compounds in coffee waste which hinders the opportunity for biogas production.
The AgroVal project will develop technologies to valorize the important agricultural crops of coffee and sisal. Coffee waste will be used to cultivate Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus).
During cultivation of the mushroom the coffee waste is degraded and detoxified by the action of enzymes excreted from the mushrooms. These novel enzymes will be identified and characterized for potential future applications. The value of sisal fibres will be increased by upgrading them to new high value products such as biocomposite materials with superior properties.
Finally all the process residues will be codigested for production of the renewable energy carrier biogas. The AgroVal consortium consists from strong partners from the three EA countries mentioned above and two institutions of DTU (Chem. Eng. and Wind) with complementary expertise in biotechnology, chemistry, material science and microbiology.
The output of the project with development of novel technologies, have an impact on capacity building, bioeconomy, and CO2 emission reduction and ultimate improvement of living conditions.
Partners
- Technical University of Denmark, Chemical Engineering DTU-KT DK
- Technical University of Denmark, Wind Energy DTU-WE DK
- NM-AIST NM-AIST TZ
- Pwani University PU KE
- Addis Ababa University AAU ET
Time-schedule
01/03/2022 - 31/05/2026
Funding agency
Indo, Innovation Fund Denmark
Website
Valorisation of industrial side streams to biochemical by microalgae
Objective
BlueBioChain will develop novel supply chains for valorisation of industrial residual sides streams by means microalgae cultivation. The BlueBioChain is aiming at developing novel integrated approaches, methodologies, and process technologies for more efficient and sustainable water management with cross-fertilization possibilities to multiple industrial sectors (cosmeceuticals, food, and feed production and wastewater).:
- Food & astaxanthin
- Cosmeceuticals
- Aquafeed for fish, …
Background
Industrial activities often result in productions of various high strength nutrients wastewaters. In the past, these wastewaters were just treated to remove organic matter and nutrients before disposed to the environment. However, awareness of limitations of fossil resources has promoted processes leading to valorization of wastewaters. Resource recovery using microalgae is a promising alternative.
Microalgae are photoautotrophic organisms that assimilate nitrogen and phosphorus into their biomass and as autotrophs, also fix dissolved carbon dioxide into their biomass. Besides autotrophic growth microalgae can also grow mixotrophically assimilating organic matter and converting it to useful molecules. Using microalgae to treat wastewater harnesses natural growth processes to remove dissolved inorganic nutrients and organic matter and has the potential to treat wastewater to lower nutrient levels than current treatment processes.
Algal biomass is a good feedstock for high value molecules, such as pigments, antioxidants, nutraceuticals, but also biodiesel, biofertilizer, as well as feed or food. Thus, microalgae are not only a more sustainable water treatment method, but enable a more circular value chain, where residual nutrients can be recycled.
Partners
- Hellenic Agricultural Organization – Dimitra (ELGO) Greece
- EcoResources PC (Ecoresources) Greece
- Centre for Research and Technology – Hellas (CERTH) Greece
- Technical University of Denmark (DTU) Denmark
- KU Leuven (KU LEUVEN) Belgium
- Malta University (MU) Malta
- KMC Kartoffelmelcentralen Amb (KMC) Denmark
- Matís (MATIS) Iceland
Time-schedule
01/09 / 2021 - 30/08 / 2023
Funding agency
This project is part of the BlueBio ERA-NET Cofund under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme (Project ID 31 BlueBioChain)
Website
Novel biotechnologies for capturing and recycling CO2 to biochemicals
Objective
CooCE aims to accelerate the use of utilisation and storage technologies (CCUS) and revolutionize CO2 capture and utilization by closing C loops in a circular economy approach. It targets to develop (TRL 4) and demonstrate (TRL 5-6) a novel biotechnological platform to convert CO2 into:
- upgraded biofuels for flexible on-site hybrid energy storage (i.e. biomethane)
- platform chemicals (i.e. succinic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoates).
Background
The exploitation of CO2 capture and CCUS in industrial applications face significant challenges due to the high investment cost and the fierce international competition in the sectors concerned. Nonetheless, the industrial sectors currently account for 20% of global CO2 emissions. CooCE project will contribute to the shift towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon and climate resilient economy. Within the project, a consortium of commercial and academic partners is formed, with the ambitious goal of developing CCUS processes and integrating them with existing industrial workflows. The work is planned in accordance with the European Sustainable Development Goals and considering Circular Bioeconomy principles.
Partners
- University of Padua UNIPD IT
- BTS Biogas s.r.l. BTS IT
- Euronewpack s.r.l. ENP IT
- Hellenic Agricultural Organisation- DEMETER ELGO GR
- EcoResources PC ER GR
- Technical University of Denmark DTU DK
- Lemvig Biogas A.m.b.a. LBP DK
- Imperial College London ICL UK
- Biome Bioplastics Ltd BBP UK
Time-schedule
01/10/2021 - 30/09/2024
Funding agency
ACT ERA NET Cofund, Horizon 2020 programme and EUDP
Website
Carbon emissions are the feedstock for the next-generation biofuels market
Objective
CRONUS aims to accelerate on the path to sustainable bioenergy incorporating carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CUS) techniques and promoting the decarbonisation of the EU economy. A wide spectrum of biogenic gases CUS technologies will be validated in lab-scale (TRL4) and be up-scaled to 5 functional prototypes that will operate in relevant environments of biofuels production plants (TRL5).
Background
The global biofuels market is expected to reach a market size of above 150 billion U.S. dollars by 2024. This growth has largely been driven by policies that encourage the use and production of biofuels due to the perception that it could provide energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in relevant sectors. Nevertheless, as the biofuel production rises steadily, biogenic emissions increase annually as well. By the end of 2021, cumulative biogenic emissions had reached 8.8*108 metric tons CO2e.
The main routes of producing carbon waste, as biogenic effluent gases within the biofuel production are anaerobic digestion, ethanolic fermentation and thermochemical processes. CRONUS technologies can stand as solutions to meet the 2021 Glasgow agreement on climate change’s aim of less than 1,5 οC and contribute to the phase-out of fossil fuels and the decarbonisation of the EU economy in accordance to European Green Deal goals.
Partners
- national Technical University of Athens GR
- Hellenic Agricultural Organisation ELGO DIMITRA GR
- Technical University of Denmark DK
- Biotech Pro ApS DK
- University of Padova IT
- Agricultural Research for Development CIRAD FR
- CARTIF Technology Center ES
- AlgEn SLO
- Novel Environmental Solutions S.A. GR
- Brunel University London UK
- Autonomous University of Barcelona ES
- Madisi Ltd. MADISI CY
- UT SEMIDE SEMIDE FR
Time-schedule
01/12/2022 - 31/08/2026
Funding agency
HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-03-09
Monitoring and control microalgae cultivation for efficient wastewater valorisation
Objective
- Develop a sound modelling approach at the process scale
- Develop a reliable smart monitoring approach
- Develop and implement automatic control strategies
- Train new innovation leaders
Background
Microalgae and other photosynthetic microorganisms represent a highly promising source for food, feed, chemicals, and fuels. Europe has been leading world research and industrial deployment of microalgae based technologies. However, despite the enormous potential and the impressive R&D effort, industrial use of microalgae is still at its first developmental stage. A major step forward can derive by the development and implementation of digital technologies, capable of automatizing and optimising culture conditions at industrial scale. As envisaged by DigitAlgaesation, the widespread definition and adoption of effective tools for better design and operation urgently requires skilled multidisciplinary scientists and engineers, who can develop and implement the next generation of sustainable production process with enhanced productivity, reduced environmental impact and costs, despite climate fluctuations that may strongly affect microalgae productivity.
Partners
- CentraleSupélec CS FR
- University of Padova UNIPD IT
- Imperial College London ICL UK
- Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies du numérique INRIA FR
- University of Almeria UAL ES
- Technical University Denmark DTU DK
- Wageningen University WUR NL
- “Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz” Universität Hannover LUH GER
- Technical University of Dresden TUD GER
- Process Systems Enterprise PSE UK
- TMCI Padovan S.p.A. TMCI IT
- Proviron PV BE
Time-schedule
01/10/2021 - 30/09/2024
Funding agency
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 955520.
Website
Algal platform for chemicals production from wastewater
Objective
The main aim is to develop an innovative bench mark technology for complete valorization of industrial wastewater using microalgae towards the production of biofuels and bio-products. Microalgae will be grown on different wastewaters where the already present nutrients will support their growth without demanding fresh nutrients. The use of ceramic membranes to treat the harvested culture medium for reuse will make the entire process less dependent on fresh-water.
Background
Clean water and sanitation and affordable and clean energy are two of the Sustainable Development Goals of UN. In order to support clean water and energy supply, valorization of wastewater resources is of core interest worldwide. Treatment of industrial wastewaters is not always trivial, as many times the extreme conditions (e.g., pH, salinity, inhibitors) do not allow implementation of conventional water treatment technologies based on bacteria. Microalgae are a wide group of microbes that can be cultivated in many different conditions and can overcome the extreme conditions imposed by industrial wastewater.
Partners
- Technical University of Denmark DTU DK
- Dansk Symbiosecenter CLEAN DK
- Kartoffelmelscentralen KMC DK
Time-schedule
01/05/2019 - 30/04/2022
Funding agency
Indo, Innovation Fund Denmark
Website
Biomethanation market ready to roar
Objective
New technologies are essential to achieve the European Green Deal, climate and energy targets for 2030 and the net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To this end, SEMPRE-BIO aims to:
- demonstrate novel and cost-effective biomethane production solutions and pathways
- increase the market up-take of biomethane related technologies.
Background
Worldwide net-zero emissions are needed to avoid unacceptable consequences on ecosystems and populations. EU has embraced the target of reducing net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and to make Europe a climate-neutral continent by 2050. Green gases and particularly biomethane will have an important role to play to cost-effectively achieve such goals. Yet it comes with a number of issues and constraints, which can compromise these targets, as well as the development of common European gas market. Even considering the current market and geo-political situation, the production costs put biomethane roughly four times more expensive than natural gas. Moreover, the potentials and the current status of biomethane production differs widely between European countries.
Partners
- CETAQUA ES
- AIGUES DE BARCELONA ES
- CRYO INOX S.L. ES
- DEUTSCHES BIOMASSEFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM GEMEINNÜTZIGE GMBH DE
- DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET DK
- INVENIAM GROUP ES
- PROPULS DE
- SINTEF NO
- TERRAWAT FR
- TRANSPORTS METROPOLITANS DE BARCELONA ES
- UNIVERSITEIT GENT BE
- UNIVERSITAT DE VIC ES
- BIOGAS-E BE
- INNOLAB BE
- NATURGY ES
- NV De Zwanebloem BE
Time-schedule
01/11/2022 - 30/04/2026
Funding agency
HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-03-16
Objective
The main purpose of the project is to develop and assess the:
- production of Single Cell Protein from upgraded biogas
- recovery of nutrients from urban bio-waste and reject water for protein production
- sustainability of the overall production process on the basis of circular economy.
Background
To meet the globally increasing needs of proteins the traditional feeding strategies of the livestock sector should be reconsidered. Upcycling of urban bio-waste for the production of proteins can significantly contribute on the replacement of fishmeal and soybean meal proteins.
The aim of FUBAF is to produce proteins from urban bio-waste in a quality that can substitute traditional proteins for animal feeding contributing to the frame of circular economy.
The project combines the well-established anaerobic digestion process, the trending technologies of biological biogas upgrading and microbial electrochemical recovery of nutrients with gas fermentation for cultivation of proteinaceous biomass.
In Denmark, more than 50% of the proteins in aquaculture sector is derived from fishmeal and approximately 75% of the terrestrial crops are used as forage in pig, cattle, chicken and mink farms. Through FUBAF approach, land, water, and natural resources are alleviated from intense exploitation to produce feed for aqua- and agriculture.
Coordinator:
- ENVIDAN A/S (Jeanette Agertved Madsen)
Partners:
- bIOFOS (Nick Ahrensberg)
- DTU (Irini Angelidaki, Panagiotis Tsapekos)
- LiqTech (Haris Kadrispahic)
- Unibio A/S (Ib Christensen)
- A.R.C. (Ida Leisner)
- VandCenterSyd (Per Henrik Nielsen)
- Aarhus Vand (Per Overgaard Pedersen)
Time-schedule
01/01/2019-30/06/2021
Funding agency
MUDP
Website
Integrating and upscaling Biogas Upgrading and Bio-Succinic Acid Production
Objective
The aim of NEOSUCCESS project is to make commercially available a unique technology for simultaneous production of Biomethane and Bio-Succinic Acid based on a containerized plug-and-play technology conceived to be integrated in biogas plants’ operational workflow. The specific objectives of the project are:
- Investigate the simultaneous bioconversion of agro-industrial waste streams into Bio-Succinic Acid and upgrading of biogas into Biomethane.
- Scale-up and construction of the industrial NEOSUCCESS unit for Bio-Succinic Acid production (including the Downstream Processing Module).
- Demonstration of the NEOSUCCESS unit operation with simultaneous Bio-Succinic Acid and Biomethane production in the industrial site.
Background
Carbon capture and utilization technologies are promising for securing a rapid transition towards the “decarbonization of the economy”. However, CO2-capturing technologies such as biogas upgrading are usually challenged by the high investments and operational costs required for their industrial implementation.
NEOSUCCESS project aims to develop a technology that integrates the production of two added-value products by combining the biological upgrading of biogas into Biomethane with the production of second-generation Bio-Succinic Acid from residual waste streams. By exploiting this industrial synergy, NEOSUCCESS project is expected to make the investment on biogas upgrading profitable as a result of its complementary BioSA production and commercial exploitation.
Partners:
- Technical University of Denmark DK
- Aristotelio Panepistimio Thessalonikis (AUTH) GR
- AINIA ES
- BIOTECHPRO ApS DK
- IVEM S.L. ES
- NORVENTO S.L.U. ES
Time-schedule
01/06/2020 - 01/12/2023
Funding agency
Horizon 2020 - H2020-EIC-FTI-2018-2020
Website
Objective
AgRefine is a European Training Network that will train 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in the necessary skills and knowledge to position Europe as the global leader in developing an agri-bioeconomy industry based on the advanced biorefinery technologies.
AgRefine will disrupt the mechanism by which biomass is currently being used bu cooperatively integrating innovative stand-alone technologies so that the highest values, socio-economically beneficial products per input substrates can be achieved.
Background
The ETN consists of 15 highly interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral PhD projects, each specialising in specific aspects of the bioeconomy. The network will combine assessment of legislation and policy as it applies to the bioeconomy, with industry-led innovation of AgRefine technology, market-led experience of sustainable value chain creation.
An integrated training programme will facilitate the amelioration of Europe’s agri-sector competitiveness and environmental sustainability challenges by creating new and optimising current agri-resources and agri-waste valorisation pathways.
The ETN will provide training in a number of cross-cutting multidisciplinary and highly interdisciplinary technical subjects areas including chemical and process engineering, biological science, life cycle assessment (LCA) and economies. The ESRs will receive training on adopted RRI principes, project management, communicaiton, presentation and media skills.
The network will provide the ESRs with access to partners with key-expertise in the bioeconomy, gaining a range of relevant transferable skills and expertise in environmental, economic and social aspects of AgRefine..
Coordinator:
- University College Dublin - UCD (Dr. Fionnuala Murphy)
Partners:
- University College Dublin - UCD (Prof. Kevin McDonnell)
- DTU (Dr. Panagiotis Tsapekos, Dr. Merlin Alvarado-Morales and Prof. Irini Angelidaki)
- Centre for Research & Technology- CERTH (Prof. Anastasios J. Karabelas and Dr. Sotiris I. Patsios)
- TU Wine - (Ao. Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Michael Harasek)
- Bantry Marine Research Station (Dr. Julie Maguire)
Time-schedule
01/10/2019-30/09/2023
Funding agency
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant