The project confronts the need to reevaluate the reliance on fossil-based chemical building blocks. These compounds, traditionally derived from finite petroleum sources, constitute a significant source of environmental pollution. With global industries increasingly acknowledging the merits of sustainability, the transition to bio-based alternatives becomes paramount to them.
Concurrently, LUCRA endeavours to tackle the complex challenge of optimizing organic waste utilization. Each year, millions of tonnes of bio-waste, particularly urban organic food waste, inundate European waste management systems. However, a substantial portion of this resource—approximately 60%—currently finds its way to incineration or landfills, resulting in substantial environmental and economic losses.
In response to the challenge of transitioning from fossil-based building blocks, LUCRA proposes the sustainable production of succinic acid as a versatile platform molecule. Succinic acid finds applications across various industries, including packaging, personal care, food & beverage, textiles, agriculture, and automotive. By producing succinic acid through eco-friendly processes, LUCRA aims to satisfy the growing demand for bio-based chemicals while diminishing the reliance on petroleum-derived counterparts. This initiative directly addresses the need for alternatives to fossil or first-generation-based building blocks, in line with the global shift towards bio-based products.
To address the complexity of optimizing organic waste streams, LUCRA introduces a novel approach to waste valorisation. This strategy involves synergistic treatment of relevant waste streams, specifically bio-waste and saw dust. LUCRA leverages cutting-edge technologies, including thermal and enzymatic hydrolysis, to extract valuable components such as sugars and nutrients from these waste and side stream materials.
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These recovered resources will serve a dual purpose: as feedstock for succinic acid production and as inputs for innovative applications. Importantly, this approach significantly reduces the need for chemical additives like NaOH, lowering production costs and environmental impacts. As a result, LUCRA anticipates achieving a remarkable 37% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional succinic acid production processes. By addressing these waste challenges, LUCRA simultaneously contributes to the development of sustainable bio-based platform chemicals and waste reduction, aligning with circular economy principles.
LUCRA’s proposal aligns with the objectives of circular economy and green chemistry, providing a sustainable and cost-effective solution that addresses both environmental and economic concerns. It focuses on two primary objectives: large-scale production of bio-based succinic acid as a key platform chemical and the utilization of abundant and underutilized side streams as valuable feedstocks