Growing a green future: a circular and bio-based economy

Project description

Over the past 100 years, we have become increasingly dependent on limited available fossil resources such as oil, gas and minerals. If we want to change this, it means a transition from a linear economy to a circular and bio-based economy (BBE), from an economy that runs on fossil resources to an economy that runs on biomass as a raw material. Biomass is already used for non-food applications, such as cosmetics, fine chemicals and (construction) materials. Within European policy, the goal is to reduce greenhouse emissions by 20% and increase energy efficiency by 20% by 2020. By 2050, carbon dioxide emissions should be 85-90% lower. To meet these targets, it is necessary to create new opportunities for economic development now by expanding business and research activities in low-carbon technologies.

The challenge ahead is enormous. Supplies are decreasing, but the demand for raw materials is still increasing. The BBE is mainly associated with the valorisation of residue streams and the cradle-to-cradle concept. However, available residue streams will not suffice as feedstock for the BBE.

Agriculture is a potential producer of feedstock for the BBE, either through new crops, other possibilities of existing crops or from untapped by-products. In the past, crop production was mainly oriented towards producing food for humans and feed for animals. In recent years, increasing interest has emerged in other uses of biomass as a feedstock, for example for fibres, fuel and high-value products such as aromatics and biocides. In the future, biomass could serve as a complement to, and eventually replace, conventional petrochemical refining.

This project aims to promote resource efficiency by innovating products, applications and processes with a focus on the BBE. Cooperation between the primary sector and SMEs or other companies through the implementation of new applications is central. The cooperation of research institutions and companies ensures a concrete chain-oriented approach that can also be continued after the end of the project. The competitive position of companies in the border region is improved through the development of this new knowledge with sustainable development at its core.

What is KdG doing?

KdG's research centre Sustainable Industries is involved in work packages 4 and 5 of the project.

Work package 4 deals with high-value oil applications from oilseed crops. Within the framework of this work package, EC DC performs extractions and analyses on seeds originating from different project partners (Rusthoeve, Herent Trial Centre and ILVO). Based on the results of the analyses (oil content, fatty acid profile, presence of high-quality co-components), economically relevant applications for the different oils are sought. The research conducted in recent years has shown that marigold seed oil is a very interesting oil. During the last project year, which is currently ongoing, KdG is developing a paint/resin based on this oil together with 2 industrial partners (Boss Paints and SynRes).

Work package 5 deals with natural raw materials for weed suppression and green crop protection (GMP). The focus of the EC DC here is on GMOs. First, an optimal method was developed for the extraction of biocide components from different plant materials. Then, a GC-MS method was finalised for the analysis of the extracts. Currently, EC DC uses extracts of pyrethrum, barnweed, sorghum, field thistle, field milk thistle, mugwort, miscanthus, fennel, thyme, peppermint and cumin in bactericidal and fungicidal tests.