Biomass is a valuable, sustainable feedstock for the production of high added value chemicals and materials, and will play an important role in the transition of the European Process Industry to a Sustainable Process Industry. However, for the optimal utilization of these bio-resources the fractionation of the biomass on basis of functionalities is required. The innovative approach of BIO4PRODUCTS is to apply a short thermal treatment at elevated temperature enabling the fractionation of the bio-resource, but keeping the key chemical functionalities in separate, depolymerized fractions. Within the project the process will be demonstrated in a 3 t/d demo-plant. Subsequently, BIO4PRODUCTS will demonstrate the use of the resulting intermediate processing streams for the production of wood preservation products, furanic resins, phenolic resins and roofing material as cost-effective renewable alternatives for fossil resources in the conventional products (30-100% substitution). Each of the steps in the whole chain has at least been proven on bench-scale (TRL5) and should reach TRL 6-7 by execution of this project. The feedstock flexibility will be shown by demonstrating the complete chain for 4 different biomass resources representative for the majority of biomass resources available in Europe. Integral topics covered by the project are the techno-economic and environmental assessments as well as the development of business plans for subsequent commercialization of the individual product lines and the overall value chain. The BIO4PRODUCTS consortium consists of 2 large industries and 4 SME’s and 1 one non-profit organization covering the whole chain from biomass collection, primary and secondary conversion, and final use in end products. Additionally, specific expertise is included on environmental evaluation and the market introduction of sustainable products.

NewWave will contribute to building a circular economy by introducing sustainable raw materials in different manufacturing lines, replacing toxic chemicals and lowering the environmental footprint of the products. The raw materials are obtained from thermochemical fractionation of biomass. This process converts biomass residues by fast pyrolysis into Fast Pyrolysis Bio-Oil (FPBO). Subsequently, the FPBO is fractionated -based on chemical functionality- yielding a reactive lignin fraction and a sugar-rich fraction, both being excellent starting materials to produce sustainable, bio-based chemicals & materials. The selected product lines fully exploit the unique chemical functionalities already present in biomass residues and organic waste streams. Moreover, the lines are interlinked, and output from one line will further improve the sustainability of the other. Waste water treatment and water re-use is integral part of the concept. NewWave aims at wood-based products for the construction industry, including Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) to replace steel and concrete as structural components and modified wood to replace tropical hardwood or chemically treated wood for outdoor use. Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) and plywood will be produced for interior usage. Toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and creosote will be replaced by non-toxic, bio-based alternatives. A small building will be constructed with these materials to demonstrate the products and test durability. The bio-based chemicals can also be used as green solvents, antifreeze & coolant and in the bulk & fine chemical industry. The European market potential is enormous (Billion ?/y range). The GHG emission avoidance ranges from 30% to over 90% depending on replacement ratio and end application. The individual manufacturing lines as well as the integrated value chain will be assessed in detail on technical, economic, social and environmental performance to ensure the production is truly sustainable.

In order to maintain the leadership of the European aeronautics, the SuCoHS project will investigate potential weight and cost savings in expanding the use of composite materials in areas of demanding high thermal conditions (high temperature and fire). In particular, this project envisages new structural concepts with novel multi-material composites to provide high resistivity against thermal, mechanical and fire loading. These developments also cater for high production rates, providing a cost competitive manufacturing process at minimum material and energy consumption, while reducing the requirement for visual inspection or rework. New solutions for structural health monitoring are considered within the structures to enable condition-based maintenance taking into account actual loading and structural conditions. Instead of an isolated investigation of innovative technologies the project will develop an integrated framework for the adaption of these promising technologies to different aeronautic components to increase efficiency during design, manufacturing and operation. Three industrial use cases are defined from real industrial design challenges to set requirements, to validate new technologies and to demonstrate technical feasibility near to operation environment: a high temperature resistance nacelle component, a composite aircraft interior shell and a tail cone panel substructure. The SuCoHS project gathers 14 partners from 7 European countries, amongst which 2 technical universities, 3 research centers, 4 SMEs and 8 large companies. The requested EU funding amounts to 6 638 944 Euros for a 3-year project duration.