Say bye to crude oil in asphalt, say hi to bio-based solutions

SWEETWOODS uses Sunburst technology to extract lignin and sugars, a highly efficient fractionation technology that can convert over 90% of the woody biomass into high-value materials. After wood chips are fed into the machine, Sunburst technology turns them into a slurry in just 20 seconds by applying mechanical force, pressure, and heat. Sugars and lignin in the slurry are then separated using enzymes to obtain materials with a high level of purity.

Sunburst technology also makes it possible to produce new materials with a small ecological footprint, using minimal amounts of water and chemicals. A system has been set up at the plant to allow most of the process water to be treated and reused, integrating a circular production approach.

High-value production

SWEETWOODS lead partner Fibenol is a spin-off of Graanul Invest Group. The company’s extensive experience in the wood industry has greatly benefited its development. While softwood is used extensively in construction or furniture, only a small proportion of the hardwood produced by the forestry sector is used to its full potential. SWEETWOODS thus generates high value from a relatively untapped resource. Moreover, all hardwood residues processed at its plant come from sustainably managed forests within 50 km of the facility and from sustainable supply chains.

At scale, the biorefinery has an annual production capacity of around 6,500 tonnes of lignin and 20,000 tonnes of sugar. Plans are being formulated to construct a larger-scale biorefinery, which is expected to have a capacity 8-10 times higher. The current flagship plant functions solely on renewable energy and has a fully equipped R&D laboratory.

Carbon-neutral asphalt

Fibenol has shown that these biomaterials can be used in different applications to replace fossil-based chemicals. The lignin can not only replace fossil-based chemicals in industrial applications but can also be processed into coatings, adhesives, and films for packaging or plastics. Other applications are resins and insulation for construction.  

Fibenol’s lignin, which is trademarked as LIGNOVA, has now been certified as safe for use in cosmetics and can replace bitumen, a by-product of crude oil, in asphalt. In particular, the produced carbon-neutral asphalt has been laid on access roads at the biorefinery to test its suitability. Ülemiste Centre, one of Estonia’s largest shopping and leisure centres, has since used the asphalt to resurface its car park.

Furthermore, LIGNOVA recently obtained Environmental Product Declaration certifications attesting to its low environmental impact. It also received certification from TÜV AUSTRIA Group for the OK compostable HOME, OK compostable INDUSTRIAL and OK biodegradable SOIL schemes. This shows that LIGNOVA degrades in soil without impacting the environment and meets biodegradability standards under industrial and domestic composting conditions.

Oils and fatty acids

Sugars can be used to produce chemicals, cosmetics and fuels or processed into low-calorie sweeteners or animal feed additives. Fibenol is working with biotech start-up ÄIO to convert them into oils and fatty acids for food, feed and cosmetics.

We anticipate a growing range of applications for cellulosic sugars in the food industry in the future.

Karl Peebo, SWEETWOODS project manager 

‘As the food sector significantly contributes to global emissions, our low-CO₂-footprint separation technology presents a tremendous opportunity. We anticipate a growing range of applications for cellulosic sugars in the food industry in the future,’ said SWEETWOODS project manager Karl Peebo. 

Bio-based surfactants

Another partnership has been concluded with Holiferm, a producer of bio-based surfactants for applications including personal care, cleaning and agricultural products.

All in all, wood sugars can be used in various fermentation processes. They do not compete with food production and have a very low CO₂ footprint.

 Peep Pitk, Fibenol Chief Development Officer 

‘We know we have a superior sugar stream in terms of environmental impact, and we are eager to demonstrate the efficient conversion of forestry residues into valuable biosurfactants by combining the technologies from Fibenol and Holiferm. These steps are essential to change how goods are produced,’ said Fibenol Chief Development Officer Peep Pitk. ‘All in all, wood sugars can be used in various fermentation processes. They do not compete with food production and have a very low CO₂ footprint’, he added.