The Catalyst Review November 2024 - 9

SPECIAL FEATURE
main job is to stabilize reactive aromatic molecules generated during lignin extraction from the
wood matrix. Although performant catalysts are available, tailored development remains a field
of opportunity by for example improving water-stability, available surface area, mechanical pellet
properties, pore size and metal distribution. This way, degradation reactions are avoided that
otherwise turn the lignin molecules into a recalcitrant polymeric material and instead produce a
unique liquid aromatic oil which is soluble and has a tunable reactivity depending on the intended
application. Meanwhile, we produce a delignified pulp representing a non-edible source of
sugars. For example, excellent enzymatic hydrolysis and yeast fermentation to 2G ethanol have
been demonstrated for this pulp. Also, several chemical routes to glycols, sugar alcohols, lactide
or light-naphtha were demonstrated.
As the pulp & paper market stagnates and the chemical industry faces pressure to shift from
fossil to renewable carbon feedstocks, there is significant potential for synergy and collaboration.
One important task will be to reconcile the technological differences between both sectors: the
pulping industry which is accustomed to solid feedstocks, water, and homogeneous catalysis,
versus the petro-refining industry, which uses fluid feedstocks, organic solvents, H2
and
heterogeneous catalysts.
Biocon is addressing this challenge by enabling experimental scale up from lab to pilot scale,
while performing industrial scale process modelling to monitor economic and sustainability
parameters. Regarding the experimental scale up, in 2024 we successfully reproduced the
product quality from g-scale in our labs to kg-scale in our pilot reactor. Currently, downstream
separation is conducted in collaboration with the Centre of Expertise Sustainable Biomass
and Chemistry at Thomas More, while further equipment expansion at Biocon is planned to be
completed by the end of 2025. This includes other reactor types, separation equipment, and a
quality lab (see Figure 4). A thorough analysis of the process modelling and resulting TEA and LCA
shows minimum selling prices of lignin oil < 1000 euro/ton and a GWP of < 1 ton CO2
/ton lignin oil,
making it competitive with fossil aromatics such as phenol and bisphenol. Further price reductions
through novel innovations are to be expected.
Figure 4 Overview pilot unit operations: left to right - Operational 200L reactor (Biocon), 3D lay-out of equipment expansion
in 2025 (Biocon), liquid-liquid extraction from crude lignin oil to refined lignin oil, solvent evaporation, liquid RCF lignin oil (in
collaboration with the Centre of Expertise Sustainable Biomass and Chemistry, Thomas More). Source: Biocon
Process Development: " The Biggest Challenges for SAFs are the Aromatics and
Naphthenes "
Process development is one thing; developing marketable products from the biorefinery
intermediates is another. With Biocon, focus lies on the biorefinery process, while industry
partners can use the intermediate samples to develop biobased products and strengthen their
own product portfolio. A four-year collaboration between Biocon and TotalEnergies is a great
example of this.
The Catalyst Review
November 2024
9

The Catalyst Review November 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Catalyst Review November 2024