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Finnish biotech company MetGen has received \u20ac500,000 of EU funding for a research project focusing on the efficient and sustainable extracting of lignin and hemicelluloses from the cellulose production process and using them as bio-based resources in different industries.<\/strong><\/p>\n WoodZymes<\/a> is a large EU-funded Horizon 2020 project that aims to find out how lignin and hemicelluloses could be extracted more efficiently from the cellulose making process and, in particular, how these fractions could be turned into valuable resources for different industries.<\/p>\n The tailor-made enzymes of the Finnish biotech company MetGen play a central role in this innovative project.<\/p>\n \u201dOur service is unique and based on a solid knowledge of genetics. The strength of our technology platform is that we can deliver an industrial enzyme with new-to-the-world characteristics from an idea to large-scale supply in as short time as six months.\u201d says MetGen\u2019s CTO Matti Heikkil\u00e4.<\/p>\n \u201dIn WoodZymes, our enzymes are used as a catalyst that helps extract more lignin and hemicelluloses from the cellulose making process, while reducing the environmental burden of the process,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Lignin and hemicelluloses can be used as building blocks for making bioequivalents for a number of hazardous or toxic substances. Lignin, for instance, is a nature-made glue that can be used to replace formaldehyde. The WoodZymes project studies how lignin could be used in the construction industry for making fiber boards and polyurethane for insulations.<\/p>\n \u201dOur enzymes and licensable technologies allow for full valorization of soluble lignin. We have created technologies to fractionate lignin to specific sizes and also control its characteristics to match the customer specific need\u201d, Heikkil\u00e4 says.<\/p>\n Hemicelluloses are sugars that can be used, for instance, as an additive in the paper industry. The current production process fails to extract hemicellulose at all, but Heikkil\u00e4 estimates that with the MetGen enzyme, the yield could reach up to 60\u201370 %.<\/p>\n \u201dThe most important aspect of the project is that we can create value from biomass that has previously been considered process waste. We can significantly improve and boost the effectiveness and processes of existing production facilities without making sizeable investments,\u201d he summarizes.<\/p>\n The Finnish EU funding star \u201cWe\u2019ve made four EU funding applications together with Spinverse with a full 100 % hit rate. Altogether, the funding we\u2019ve received for these projects amounts to \u20ac12 million,\u201d Heikkil\u00e4 says.<\/p>\n \u201cCollaboration in the spirit of open innovation allows a company to play a much larger role in the industry than its size might let you believe. In this sense, as a company we\u2019re like the enzymes we design: small but very powerful catalyst to speed up the reactions in the surrounding environment.\u201d<\/p>\n MetGen\u2019s tailor-made enzymes have a massive potential in different industries and their applications are studied fiercely. In Finland, MetGen is one of the TOP 10 recipients of EU funding and the only commercial entity among universities and research institutes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Matti Heikkil\u00e4, MetGenTailor-made enzymes in six months<\/h3>\n
Creating value from former process waste<\/h3>\n
\nAll in all, WoodZymes has received \u20ac3.25 million of EU funding, of which MetGen\u2019s slice is \u20ac500,000. Spinverse supported MetGen in the application process. The companies have a long and successful history of cooperation.<\/p>\nContacts<\/h3>\n
\nE-Mail: matti@metgen.com<\/a><\/p>\n