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
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.