Cost-effective prOdUction of ligNin plaTform chemicaLs Extending the biobaSed chemicalS portfolio
COUNTLESS will access lignin, an abundant natural resource, to produce platform chemicals and demonstrate their applicability and cost-effectiveness in a variety of end-use cases from bulk to specialty applications. This will enable the transition from fossil-based to bio-based chemical building blocks – supporting sustainability and climate action goals.
As Europe transitions toward a more circular and bio-based economy, the LUCRA project is demonstrating how advanced technologies can turn waste into valuable materials. At the center of this transformation is bio-based succinic acid, a chemical building block with a wide range of industrial uses. LUCRA’s innovation lies not only in what it produces, but…
The #CBEScaleUp Photo and Video Competition showcases how CBE JU-funded projects are successfully bridging the gap between innovation and market deployment. Projects can compete in four categories: Scaling Innovation, People and Skills, Circular Europe, and Creative Focus. In addition, participants may submit a short video. Over the past few weeks, the LUCRA communication team has…
When we hear the word electrification, we mostly think of electric cars and solar panels. However, electrification can also have a major impact on the biobased economy. Over the past years, we have seen a tremendous evolution in our ability to produce biobased products that have real impact in society, ranging from fine chemicals to…
From December 2-3, the LUCRA partners came together to share project updates and challenges during the second half of the project. With 2026 marking the last full year of LUCRA, the discussions placed a stronger focus on exploitation, scale-up strategies, and business models. During an internal workshop, partners worked on these key topics, aligning on…
The LUCRA project is featured in the latest bioeconomy-focused edition of Insight Media’s Projects Magazine. The article, titled “LUCRA: Scaling bio-based succinic acid from side streams and waste for drop-in polymers”, was developed together with project coordinator Tanja Meyer from Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant and highlights key insights and results. Europe’s bioeconomy is at…
On 29 October 2025, the BioReCer project invited stakeholder from the bio-based industries, research, certification and standardisation, and (consumer) organisations to its final event at the Ciudad de la Cultura in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. In various presentations BioReCer partners showcased key results, explained the sustainability and circularity framework (University of Santiago de Compostela), discussed…
This article shares how LUCRA scientist Gaétan Herold and his supervisor Dr. Mariane Schneider (Ghent University) navigate the paradox of working towards a fossil-free future while questioning the carbon cost of their own scientific travels – and how turning a dilemma into an adventure can open up new perspectives. Phasing out fossil fuels is essential…
As industries across Europe work toward reducing their dependence on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impacts, bio-based platform chemicals are becoming increasingly important. One such chemical is succinic acid, a versatile intermediate used in the production of plastics, solvents, food additives, and a variety of other materials. The LUCRA project is demonstrating how succinic acid…
Out of sight, out of mind. That’s how most of us treat our trash. Once we throw it “away”, it simply disappears, right? The reality is, of course, far more complex. And I’ll admit: I used to know very little about what happens to our waste after the bin. That changed during my studies, when…
We’re proud to become part of this vibrant network of EU projects and experts dedicated to biobased resource recovery and circular economy solutions! The Biorefine Cluster Europe connects initiatives working on nutrient recycling, waste valorization, sustainable agriculture, and more – all aiming to improve sustainable resource management across Europe. This collaboration fosters mutual exchange and…
The full recording of our LUCRA workshop “Municipal biowaste as feedstock in a sustainable and circular bioeconomy” (June 11, Chania & online) is now on YouTube. Learn more about LUCRA and gain insights from both science and industry on circular bioeconomy solutions! Find all speakers, titles, and timestamps below, as well as in the video…
On June 11, 2025, the LUCRA consortium hosted a hybrid workshop titled “Municipal biowaste as feedstock in a sustainable and circular bioeconomy” in the scenic harbor city of Chania, Crete, at the Center of Mediterranean Architecture. Organized in collaboration with the Agricultural University of Athens and the local municipal waste company DEDISA SA, the event…
From June 11–12, 2025, the LUCRA consortium convened for its latest project meeting in the beautiful city of Chania, Crete. Hosted by the Agricultural University of Athens in collaboration with the Municipality of Chania, the gathering took place at the stunning Center of Mediterranean Architecture, a historic venue that provided an inspiring setting for intensive…
On June 3, the LUCRA project was present at the Biobased Market during the 21st International Conference on Renewable Resources & Biorefineries (RRB 2025) in Turku, Finland. LUCRA partner Boreal Bioproducts showcased innovative biobased products developed from side-streams of the LUCRA process, contributing to a more sustainable, circular bioeconomy. More about the conference here.
This week, the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) welcomed LUCRA project coordinator Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (BBEPP) for a technical visit to exchange insights and align on process development activities. AUA plays a central role in the LUCRA project with a strong focus on several key technical areas. This includes the development of membrane…
Next time you walk through a park, notice the grass. Is it nicely mowed, or does it look messy? How would you like it to look? Usually, a nicely mowed lawn in a park or garden is aesthetically pleasant, but in nature, a nicely mowed and ordered lawn looks strange. Human beings are sharp recognizers…
As part of the TechTour Circular 2025 event, held in Ghent, Belgium from April 23–24, participants were invited to take part in a guided tour of the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (BBEPP) – one of Europe’s leading open-access pilot facilities for scaling up biobased processes. Boreal Bioproducts (Montinutra Ltd), key partner in the LUCRA…
We are pleased to announce that the LUCRA project has officially joined the European Bioeconomy Network (EuBioNet) – a proactive alliance of over 160 EU-funded projects and initiatives working to advance the bioeconomy across Europe. EuBioNet serves as a collaborative platform that fosters knowledge sharing, networking, and the coordination of joint communication and outreach efforts.…
The second issue of the LUCRA newsletter is published! Let us share with you what has happened in the past months of LUCRA and subscribe for future editions (see bottom of the page).
Did you know that sawdust from wood processing and organic waste from household could become the secret ingredients for making high-value chemicals? The LUCRA project is on a mission to transform these streams into something much more valuable than just firewood or landfill fodder. The LUCRA Project: Giving Waste a Second Life The LUCRA project,…
Birmingham, UK – January 15-16, 2025 – In the mid of January 2025, the LUCRA project partners gathered in Birmingham for their fourth consortium meeting at the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre (BEIC). The meeting served as a platform to update partners on the progress of the different work packages and to discuss the next steps.…
The first issue of the LUCRA newsletter is published! Let us share with you what has happened in the past months of LUCRA and subscribe for future editions!
Turku, Finland – July 3, 2024 – At the beginning of July, the LUCRA project partners gathered in Turku for their third consortium meeting, hosted by project partner Boreal Bioproducts (Montinutra Ltd). The meeting served as a platform to update partners on the progress of the different work packages and to discuss the next steps.…
Marseille, France – June 27, 2024 – LUCRA, a Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) funded initiative in sustainable biochemical solutions, is proud to announce its significant participation in the 32nd European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE), held from June 24-27, 2024 in Marseille, France. This prestigious event, renowned as the leading platform for…
The stakeholder’s engagement is essential for the successful implementation of our project, for that reason, as a first consultation activity, the LUCRA consortium has developed an online survey for stakeholders (e.g. Industry, Research & Science, Public Authorities, Civil Society, etc.). In this survey, you will be asked questions to help us gather insights on the…
From the 6th to 7th of February 2024, the LUCRA partners met in the beautiful city of Madrid (Spain) for their second project meeting in Month 8 of the project. The meeting was organized by the project partner FCC Medio Ambiente and took place in their headquarters in Las Tablas, Madrid. During the one-and-a-half-day meeting,…
In July 2023, the first phase of the four-year Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) Project LUCRA kicked-off in Ghent. LUCRA aims to demonstrate a unique process to convert underutilized organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and wood waste into bio-based succinic acid. The project is set to provide the bio-based industry with…
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The project is supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CBE JU. Neither the European Union nor the CBE JU can be held responsible for them.
This work was also co-funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee grant number 10082169.
