The project is organised into 9 work packages as shown in the table below:

WP1 is concerned with the selected biorefinery feedstocks. Supply logistics of lignocelluloses, the most available feedstock, are considered and three techniques for fractionation into intermediates for subsequent down stream processing are researched. The potential for the residues from each of these methods to be used as feedstock for the other processes is assessed by the interchange of materials and information between the partners. The design, optimisation and construction of photo bioreactors for the production of microalgae are also carried out together with process optimisation. A study of the potential for accelerating algae growth by feeding and sequestering carbon dioxide from flue gas is included. Improved methods for fractionation of microalgae are developed.

WP2 is concerned with developing novel process options for converting potential biorefinery streams to biofuels (ethanol, butanol, liquid hydrocarbons, dimethyl ketone, dimethyl ether) at scales appropriate to the available feedstocks. These streams are all available from fractionation, anaerobic hydrolysis/fermentation, mono and multi culture anaerobic fermentation and thermal gasification developed in other work packages. Process intensification and carbon efficiency are important elements that are addressed by intimate integration of catalytic chemical processing, reactor design and thermal management. This integration is demonstrated at the laboratory scale by operation on side streams available from other work packages.

WP3 is concerned with the production of high value and pure “platform chemicals” that can go into downstream chemicals production. C5 and C6 fractions from lignocelluloses are the feedstock for bioconversion by monoculture anaerobes to butyric and propionic acids, by fungi to succinic and fumaric acids and for enzymatic conversion to chiral amines. Here, strain selection and development to achieve improved selectivity and productivity are important. Enzymatic conversion is also developed for converting lipids (available from plants or microalgae) to pharmaceutical intermediates.

WP4 is concerned with producing high value added products from lignin, microalgae and nano-cellulose fibre. In particular, this work package will aim to develop novel nanocomposites with man-made cellulose nanofibers, demonstrating a technical solution for the compounding of nanofibers and matrix system; a step change in composites properties; scaling up at an industrial unit; preparing a preliminary market study for a defined application area. Improved methods and microalgae strains for larger scale production of the active ingredients of Omega 3 oils, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and β-glucans, will be researched. This will culminate in a pilot scale trial of EPA/DHA production.
Work will be carried out to improve the quality of the lignins by fractionation and ultrasound treatment and to test the resulting products for healthcare related products and nanomaterials. Healthcare products and nanomaterials from lignin will be investigated.

In WP5, the flows of solid and liquid waste streams are considered within the biorefinery, together with energy management. The main technical activity is optimisation of heat, materials and energy flows for the overall biorefinery with the objective of integrating the operations so as to achieve the highest efficiency and hence lowest costs. A particular aim is to utilise all waste material for generating all necessary energy (heat, electricity) to operate the biorefinery. The final objective is to reach 100% coverage of utilities from the refinery by -products. This work package will carry out engineering integration of individual processes and the overall system to achieve optimisation of resources, heat, materials and energy.

WP6 is concerned with demonstrating the developed technologies at a larger scale. 2,3 Butanediol will be produced as an industrial scale pilot from lignocelluloses. This material can be readily dehydrated and reduced to give isobutanol; an attractive second-generation biofuel or it may be marketed as a valuable intermediate. Here the aim is to prove a process based on an engineered microbe. This WP also includes pilots and scale up of the microalgae and nano fibre processes researched in WP4.

WP7 will provide a multi-criteria evaluation of the sustainability of the entire value chain by taking into account technological, environmental, economic, social, political and legal aspects. The most sustainable biorefinery pathways for the simultaneous production of biofuels, biomaterials and biochemicals such as high value-added pharmaceuticals from agricultural residues will be identified. They will show best possible compromise in having least environmental burdens and costs and best environmental, economic and social benefits. Based on a screening environmental, economic and social/political/legal assessment as well as a screening SWOT analysis, the initial selection of biorefinery pathways will be further refined and optimisation potentials will be depicted.

WP8 is concerned with dissemination of the project results and developing an exploitation strategy. The main activities comprise ensuring widespread dissemination of results; interacting with other projects and networks working in the biorefinery area; ensuring proper handling of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and managing exploitation of project outcomes within the consortium as well as with third parties. Workshop events will be organised to ensure the widest possible diffusion of project results.

Overall project management is carried out in WP9. This includes all the internal project activities: coordination of the project, managing the technical programme and monitoring financial, contractual and reporting matters, organising all the management and technical meetings and the annual reviews.
In addition, an important aspect is to update planning of the project and take into account external research and developments in biorefineries.

For more information, please consult the Work Package section. In addition, a simplified flow sheet of the project is available here.