Individual lignocellulosic components as raw materials for the biobased sector: strategic innovations in the Belgian context

The southern region of Belgium (Wallonia) has been selected by the European Commission to be a bioeconomic “model demonstrator region”. This designation ensures adequate financial support for the development of production of sustainable chemicals. At the University of Liège, the Laboratory of Biological and Industrial Chemistry, which is recognized as a Center of Excellence in Biorefining and Green Technologies, is engaged in R&D with a strong partnership with the industrial sector. With unique pilot facilities, this Laboratory is able to perform prototyping and demonstration for the conversion of an array of biomasses. Local raw (lignocellulosic) materials are emphasized. This talk will describe two specific topics developed in our laboratory, from fundamentals to industrial applications.

Lignin: toward high-value-added applications (Ir. Thomas Berchem)
Lignin, the most abundant natural aromatic biopolymer, demonstrates high added value potential as an alternative to fossil resources for the production of a wide range of bioproducts and molecules for the chemical sector because of its unique aromatic structure.
In Wallonia, two providers of lignins have been identified: the pulping industry and the agricultural sector (mostly as by-products from cereals). Profitable applications of lignins were few in Belgium before 2010 and development of new technologies were needed to exploit the full potential of this promising resource. Several projects led by our Laboratory and aiming to extract and upgrade lignin in high-value-added industrial applications (surface active agents, electric dispersants, components for waterproofing membranes, flame retardants, etc.) are proposed herein. These projects are strongly supported by grants from the Belgian chemical sector.

Production of furan-based compounds for the plastics industry (Ir. Thibaut Istasse)
Belgium is world-class innovator for chemicals and plastics. It is notably innovative in the production of bioplastics, mostly for packaging). Combined with strong European regulations (e.g. REACh), the substitution of some petrochemical-based monomers by biobased alternatives is strongly favored. In this context, the production of furans derivatives is studied starting from several local biomasses. In particular, our Laboratory has emphasized the potential of hydrothermal treatments and aqueous acid-catalyzed processes as key industrial steps for an economically viable production of these furanic platform chemicals.