OPTimized conversion of residual wheat straw to bio-ISObutene for bio based CHEMicals
Description
Residual wheat straw, the lignocellulosic by-product left on fields after grain harvest, is converted through enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation into bio-isobutene (bio-IBN), a platform chemical used to produce lubricants, adhesives, sealants and polymers. The OPTISOCHEM process demonstrated at pre-commercial scale (Leuna, DE) valorises a feedstock that is typically burned or ploughed back, substituting fossil-based isobutene with a second-generation bio-based equivalent.
Sector
A1.6Support activities to agriculture and post-harvest crop activities
Needs/ Problem statement
Approximately 144 million tonnes of residual wheat straw accumulate annually in the EU with limited high-value uses. Industry relies entirely on fossil-based isobutene for lubricants, adhesives, sealants, cosmetics and polymer applications.
Objective
Demonstrate technical and economic feasibility of converting residual wheat straw into bio-isobutene and derivative compounds (oligomers, polyisobutylenes) as renewable substitutes for fossil-based isobutene in lubricants, adhesives, sealants, flavours and fragrances.
Bioeconomy fields
Crop residues and perennial plantsx
Designer crops for optimised biomass contentnull
Algae biomassnull
Waste or recycled materialnull
Microbial assisted processingx
Biorefineries null
Feedstock
Biomass residues
Outcomes and final product
Bio-isobutene (bio-IBN) from wheat straw hydrolysate; downstream derivatives: oligomers (DIB, TIB, TeIB) and polyisobutylenes (PIBs) for lubricants, adhesives, sealants, cosmetics.
Mobility
null
Value chains
1
2
3
3 - High potential - Significant arisings of feedstocks available currently.
C Sink
1
2
3
1 - Low potential - low potential for carbon sequestration
Intended user
Large-scale biorefinery operators and chemical processors. Requires access to pre-commercial wheat straw hydrolysis technology. High capital investment needed; suited to industrial-scale operations.
Complexity of the process
1
2
3
null
Final user
Farmerx
Foresternull
Researchernull
Advisornull
NGOnull
Training organizationnull
Processor or retailerx
Consumernull
Public Authority + LAGnull
Othernull
Economic sustainability
1
2
3
2 - Medium potential - Expected to bring 2 or 1 economic benefits.
Social sustainability
1
2
3
1 - Low potential - doesn\'t bring any social benefits.
Environmental sustainability
1
2
3
2 - Medium potential - Expected to bring 2 or 1 environmental benefits.
