BRUSSELS -- The Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking, a public-private partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), has approved the funding of 10 projects totalling €120 million to boost the EU capacity to stimulate growth and jobs via a more circular, low carbon and sustainable bioeconomy.

The BBI is a €3.7 billion innovative partnership that was officially launched in July 2014. Driven by a unique cross sector industry grouping, the BBI focuses on using Europe’s biomass and wastes to make high value products and bring them to market. Advanced biorefineries and innovative technologies are at the heart of this process, converting renewable resources into sustainable bio-based chemicals, materials and fuels, allowing the EU to reduce its dependence on finite fossil resources.

In the midst of political discussions on developing an ambitious circular economy for Europe, Marcel Wubbolts, Chairman of the Bio-based Industries Consortium and Chief Technology Officer of Royal DSM said: “Today we celebrate the translation of the vision of the Bio-based Industries Consortium into concrete projects that will help Europe develop a future economic model that is fully sustainable. The bioeconomy is global and these investments ensure that Europe remains a sustainable, competitive and innovative region.”

The 7 funded research projects will tackle specific value chain challenges such as sustainability, technology and competitiveness.

The 2 demonstration projects will demonstrate the technological and economic viability of biorefinery systems and processes for making chemicals from wood, and for making high value products for detergents, personal care, paints and coatings and composites from sugar beet pulp.

The industrial scale flagship project will make use of cardoon, an under-utilised oil crop grown on arid and marginal lands, to extract vegetable oils to be further converted into bio-based products (bio-lubricants, cosmetics, bio-plastics). By- and co-products from the process will also be valorised for energy, feed for animals and added value chemical production.

Dirk Carrez, Executive Director of the Bio-based Industries Consortium said: “Today we see the first leverage effect of the BBI JU: €50 million of EU public money have raised €70 million in private investments. And this is only the beginning. No doubt that the BBI, and the bioeconomy in general, will play an important role in the Juncker investment plan and in enabling the European circular economy.”

The BBI partners

The European Commission is the public partner in the BBI. It supports it with a contribution of €975 million from Horizon 2020, the Framework Program for Research and Innovation from 2014 to 2020. The activities of the BBI complement the activities funded under Horizon 2020 and seek to establish synergies where relevant.

The Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) is the industrial partner in the PPP. It is made of a unique mix of sectors including agriculture, agro-food, biotechnology / technology providers, forestry/pulp and paper, chemicals and energy. BIC was established in 2012 to collectively represent the private sector in the BBI. To date, BIC has close to 80 full industrial members (large, SMEs, clusters) and about 150 associate members (RTOs, universities, associations, technology platforms).

BIC supports the BBI with a contribution of €2.7 billion, of which €975 million is used to support research and innovation activities, and another €1.7 is provided in the form of additional activities.

About BIC

The Bio-based Industries Consortium is a Brussels-based non-profit international association that was established in 2012 to represent the private sector in the BBI. BIC is host to a unique mix of sectors that currently covers agriculture, agro-food, technology providers, forestry/pulp and paper, chemicals and energy. With close to 200 members including large companies, SMEs, SME Clusters, RTOs, universities, technology platforms and associations spread across Europe, BIC brings together an authoritative pool of cross sector and multi-disciplinary expertise in the field of bio-based industries. BIC industrial members have all committed to invest in collaborative research, development and demonstration of bio-based technologies within the BBI.

Source: BIC
Author : SpecialChem

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Innovia Films has added NatureFlex NK Matt, developed primarily as a lamination grade, to its range of compostable cellulose-based packaging films.

The film is ideal as the outer web of duplex and triplex structures and is also suitable for use in laminations to other bio-polymers and for extrusion coating.

Organic and Fairtrade companies are already trialling the film for products in the confectionery, dry foods, snacks and beverage sectors.

NatureFlex NK Matt has 97% renewable content (ASTM D6866 Carbon Testing) and meets the European EN 13432 and American ASTM D6400 composting norms. It is also suitable for anaerobic digestion, aiding the diversion of organic wastes from landfill.

Advantages offered for packing and converting by NatureFlex NK Matt include inherent dead-fold, anti-static properties, printability and resistance to grease.

'Compostable and renewable NatureFlex NK Matt offers manufacturers of natural and organic goods a way to align their packaging message with the spirit of their product marketing at point of sale. If you are looking for a tactile quality pack with sustainable credentials, NatureFlex NK Matt is the answer,' stated Clare McKeown, Innovia Films' market manager.