BIOeCON G2: Biomass to High Value Materials
Based on the BIOeCON G1 technology, in search of further improvements in process economics, robustness and higher value biomass based products, BIOeCON has developed the BIOeCON G2 technology, which is an unique process enabling simple and cost effective production of high value cellulosic oligomers and lignin out of any type of solid biomass.
This video shows the simplicity of G2 technology
Very importantly, the BIOeCON process is a chemical, sustainable closed loop process, and is extremely robust and cost effective. While competing processes using enzymes need tailored enzyme mixtures for each specific type of biomass to convert cellulosic biomass, the BIOeCON process can handle any biomass including wood, bagasse and straw.
Depending on the functionality desired (e.g. increased strength and protection) in the BIOeCON G2 process the cellulosic oligomers may be produced in various grades with various molecular weight distributions and/or particle sizes. A typical particle size of the cellulosic oligomer material without milling is around 10-50 μm, these refined materials are more reactive and can be easier liquefied and/or dissolved which makes it suitable for direct use as an additive in for example plastics.
The fact that the BIOeCON G2 process transforms solid biomass of 1000 – 3000 μm also opens up new opportunities, such as:
- Catalytic Pyrolysis (Solids)
- Gasification (Solids)
- Enzymatic conversion (Solids/Liquid)
- HTU/Bio-crack and FCC (Dispersed solids/Liquid)
- Advanced Materials
The BIOeCON process is operated at mild atmospheric conditions (±70°C) and uses ZnCl2.nH2O as inorganic ionic liquid. By dissolving and only partially hydrolyzing the (hemi-) cellulose chains, cellulosic oligomers are formed which can easily be separated from the solvent. Due to the mild process conditions and since no severe milling is required, no undesired degeneration of the products takes place. E.g. lignin keeps most of its cross links and still has its fibrous and binding properties and does not contain sulfur such as in the Kraft process.
The process has been demonstrated at Pilot (30 l) and 800 l scale.
Some potential applications of BIOeCON G2 Technology:
G2 Cellulosic Oligomers
- Additives for: plastics, paper additives and coatings, paints and pigments, and/or packaging materials.
- Production of artificially enhanced wood with environmental friendly flame-retardants.
G2 Lignin
- Additive for: asphalt (mixture with bitumen), rubber, cement.
- Natural binder for wood materials (replacement of phenol formaldehyde (PF) resins.
BIOeCON is presently looking for strategic partners, public funding and private investors for the further development and commercialization of this promising technology.