Research & Innovation Projects
LIBERATE project will develop and demonstrate, a fully characterized continuous electrochemistry-based biorefinery system for lignin valorisation. The system will use Kraft and Organosolv lignin as feedstocks and derive vanillin, biogenic adipic acid analogues and bio-phenols which are high value and of high industrial interest.
The LIBERATE technology is based on two electrochemical approaches developed by Fraunhofer (FHG) and the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz (JGU). Due to the continuous process, lower heat and energy input requirements of these approaches they readily enable the integration of the process with renewable energy generators. The project includes a 12-month evaluation on a pilot line demonstrator in an industrial environment.
LIBERATE will deliver the following benefits:
- An electrochemical depolymerisation of kraft lignin to synthesise vanillin with a 7% yield.
- An electrochemical depolymerisation of organoslv lignin to synthesise mixed phenolic derivate oligomers with a yield of > 35%.
- An electrochemical oxidation of bio sustainable cyclohexanol to synthesise propyl adipic acid with a yield of up to 80%.
- A biorefinery process capable of accommodating RES fluctuations without loss in efficiency.
- A biorefinery process that exhibits a 95% improvement in the energy efficiency of the process.
- A biorefinery process that is capable of producing 29xtimes less CO2.
The business plan for the LIBERATE project is based on creating lower cost and more sustainable production routes for high value lignin-derived products. To achieve this, multiple routes-to-market are enabled in the LIBERATE project by the inclusion of 5 industrial end-users.
Press Releases
LIBERATE WEBINAR – Biorefineries from a chemical industry perspective
September 30, 2022 – webinar
