Novozymes & Fibenol have entered a commercial partnership to demonstrate lignocellulosic biorefining on an industrial scale

Based on significant advancements over the past 5 years, Fibenol is now starting up its first lignocellulosic biorefinery in Imavere

Due to their abundance worldwide, lignocellulosic residues have an enormous potential to substitute petrochemicals with bio-based alternatives. However, efficient cellulose degradation into sugars has long been an obstacle to the wider spread of lignocellulosic biorefineries. Now, the tide seems to be changing.

Based on significant advancements over the past 5 years, Fibenol is now starting up its first lignocellulosic biorefinery in Imavere. The recalcitrant lignocellulosic structures are effectively opened with a combination of Sunburst™ pre-treatment technology and tailored enzymatic cocktails from Novozymes. This combination provides more than 90% conversion of birch wood processing residues into high-quality cellulosic sugars and co-products, including high-purity lignin LIGNOVATM.

“With advanced biology we can unlock new commercial opportunities within biorefining across the world. The partnership with Fibenol resonates with our strategy to unlock growth – powered by biotech and emphasizes how we continuously work in partnership with our customers to unlock the full value of biomass and its co-products”, says Hans Ole Klingenberg, VP of Agriculture & Biosolutions, Novozymes.

At Fibenol we are not merely focused on sugars but also on high-quality lignin. As a result, higher than usual standards for the enzymatic hydrolysis process were set to enzyme solution providers. The objective was to reach over 95% cellulose hydrolysis in a reasonable timeframe and low enzyme dose. 

Novozymes has been an active collaboration partner from day one, helping to tailor the enzymatic solution for our hardwood residues. Over the years of development, we have seen a significant drop in enzyme usage, improving greatly our OpEx costs while still achieving the high cellulose hydrolysis required to produce high-quality lignin.

“For Fibenol, this optimization process has reached to a point where enzymes are no longer the limiting bottleneck of commercializing lignocellulosic biorefineries.  Although still room for improvement this is a significant milestone for this type of biorefinery “, says Peep Pitk, CDO of Fibenol.

About Novozymes

Novozymes is the world leader in biological solutions. Together with customers, partners, and the global community, we improve industrial performance while preserving the planet’s resources and helping build better lives. As the world’s largest provider of enzyme and microbial technologies, our bioinnovation enables higher agricultural yields, low-temperature washing, energy-efficient production, renewable fuel, and many other benefits that we rely on today and in the future. We call it Rethink Tomorrow.

About Fibenol

Fibenol implements new cutting-edge technology to produce bio-based raw materials like lignin, wood sugars, and specialty cellulose from woody biomass. Fibenol’s innovative fractionation process converts more than 90% of woody biomass into high-value materials with minimal environmental impact. These sustainable bio-based materials can be used as replacements for fossil-based chemicals to produce cosmetics, plastics, construction materials, and many other products. Fibenol is catalyzing the transformation of industries to move beyond the use of fossil resources.

Source

Novozymes, Fibenol, joint press release, 2023-04-02.

Supplier

Fibenol
Novozymes

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