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 can be sustainably produced from organic waste streams, offering a model for a more circular and resource-efficient chemical industry.

What Is Succinic Acid?

Succinic acid (C₄H₆O₄) is a dicarboxylic acid with many industrial uses. Traditionally derived from petroleum-based processes, it is now being reconsidered as a bio-based platform chemical.

Its versatility allows it to serve as a building block for materials in diverse sectors, including packaging, textiles, automotive, and personal care. By replacing fossil-derived succinic acid with a bio-based alternative, manufacturers can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and dependence on non-renewable resources.

LUCRA’s Bio-Based Alternative: Turning Waste into Value

LUCRA proposes a sustainable pathway for succinic acid production by using organic food waste and lignocellulosic side streams such as sawdust.

The LUCRA process follows three key steps:

1. Pre-treatment and Hydrolysis
   Thermal and enzymatic technologies break down complex waste materials into fermentable sugars and nutrients.
2. Fermentation
   Microbial fermentation converts these sugars into succinic acid using optimized strains and conditions.
3. Purification and Refinement
   Electrochemical separation and minimal chemical use enable efficient purification while reducing environmental impact.

This integrated approach allows for:

• A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional production
• Lower production costs through the use of waste feedstocks
• Greater resource efficiency aligned with circular economy principles

Industry Insight: How Covestro Sees the Future of Succinic Acid

One of LUCRA’s industrial partners, Covestro, is evaluating how this waste-derived succinic acid can be integrated into real-world materials. We spoke with Rubin Huang from Covestro to understand their motivation and the role this bio-based chemical plays in their sustainability strategy.

What makes succinic acid interesting for Covestro’s sustainability goals?

“One of our key goals is to become fully circular and reduce our climate impact. Replacing fossil-based raw materials with bio-based alternatives is central to that. Succinic acid is particularly promising because it can be used as a drop-in in existing formulations, helping reduce the carbon footprint of our products and those of our customers.”

What role does LUCRA’s bio-based succinic acid play?

“Most of the bio-based succinic acid on the market today is derived from corn, which can compete with the food chain. LUCRA is different. It explores how to make succinic acid from waste, which supports real circularity and avoids that conflict.”

What is Covestro developing from succinic acid?

“We are using LUCRA’s succinic acid to develop polyester polyols, a key component in polyurethane dispersions (PUDs). These are used in things like coatings and adhesives.”

Why did you join the LUCRA project?

“Because it fits our vision. Converting waste into valuable chemicals reduces dependence on fossil resources and enables a more sustainable industry.”

What are the biggest challenges?

“There are several: scaling production, meeting purity standards, and ensuring price competitiveness with fossil-based materials. These are big hurdles but solving them is essential for wider adoption.”

From Succinic Acid to Everyday Applications

Succinic acid plays a foundational role in the synthesis of many everyday products:

1. Bioplastics
   • Polybutylene succinate (PBS) – a compostable, bio-based polymer for packaging, agricultural films, and disposable items.
2. Performance Materials
   • 1,4-Butanediol (BDO) – used to make fibers, plastics (like PBT), and polyurethanes for coatings, adhesives, and sealants.
3. Plasticizers and Solvents
   • Succinic acid esters – biodegradable additives for flexible plastics, coatings, and inks.
4. Food and Pharmaceuticals
   • Food additive (E363) – acidity regulator in beverages and snacks.
   • Pharmaceuticals – building block for drug synthesis.
5. Personal Care and Cleaning Products
   • Chelating and pH-adjusting agent – used in eco-friendly hygiene and cosmetic formulations.
6. Foams and Resins
   • Polyester polyols – used in soft foams for furniture, insulation, and car interiors.

LUCRA’s Vision: From Pilot to Scalable Impact

LUCRA goes beyond lab-scale research. The project aims to validate the entire value chain, from waste feedstock to application-ready materials, at a pre-industrial scale. Its demonstration activities include:

• Validation of hydrolysis and fermentation processes
• In-line purification and electrochemical refinement
• Application testing for bio-based materials

In parallel, LUCRA conducts:

• Life Cycle Assessments (LCA)
• Techno-economic modeling
• Policy engagement to improve the valorisation of waste streams

The project unites ten partners from seven countries, ranging from start-ups to large companies and top research institutes, forming a robust network that spans the full innovation pipeline.

Toward a More Circular Chemical Industry

Each year, millions of tonnes of organic waste go underused or wasted in Europe. LUCRA offers a tangible, scalable solution: transforming that waste into valuable bio-based chemicals like succinic acid.

With the support of industrial partners like Covestro, the project bridges the gap between research and real-world application, contributing to the goals of the European Green Deal, the Bioeconomy Strategy, and the transition to a climate-neutral, circular economy.