003 cartif newsview february 2014

number 003. February 2014

BIOPRODUCTS

CONTENTS published CARTIF Research Centre Boecillo Technology Park.

Valladolid, Spain www.cartif.com

staff Dunia Etura, Ana García, María Parcero

collaborations Construction and Infrastructure Area. APS Area

design oopscooperative@gmail.com

photography Cover photomontage: typopótamo Inside pictures courtesy of: Equilicuá, EFE, BBI and Colección Científicos Back cover picture: Aníbal Reñones

CARTIF news

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Keywords

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The project

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Talking with…

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One of us

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CARTIF selection

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EDITOR'S NOTE Many of the products that we use or consume, are “bio�, although we don't know it. That means that these products, whose origin are vegetable or animal, are the result to apply biotechnology to the industrial area.

A bioproduct could be a cosmetic packing or a car dashboard. But it also could be a biofuel, a raincoat or a paint can. The difference with other products is the raw material from which they are made: biomass or waste. Two natural sources not pollutants that allow to get sustainable products that don't require of hydrocarbons for their manufacturing processes.

Biorefineries are the industrial plants where bioproducts are made.

These plants are able to transform any biomass or waste into plastic, construction materials or fuels. CARTIF has been involved in R&D projects focused on bioproducts and first generation biofuels for few years.

Under this experience, the Centre is in the cutting edge of the research: closed loop biorefineries designed to make the best use of biorefinery by-products to deliver high value new products.

We hope this new issue of CARTIF NEWSVIEW can help you to understand better these new concepts and to appreciate their importance in a foreseeable future.

cartif news This news selection is just a small sample of the Center activities in the last month.

You can follow us through our web and social networks.

FINAL RESULTS OF 3ENCULT PROJECT After 3 years of work, the international team of technicians, conservation experts and city planners members of this FP7 consortium, presented the final results in Brussels to the Architects' Council of Europe (ACE) within a Workshop.

The aim of the 3ENCULT project was to produce guidelines and solutions to upgrade historic buildings in an energy efficient way and find the best solution to answer the special requirements of an historic building.

CARTIF, MEMBER OF THE E3S JOINT PROGRAMME The Joint Programme on the Economic, Environmental and Social Impacts of Energy Policies and Technologies (“e3s�) constitute strategic, permanent collaborations between major research organisations and institutes forming a virtual centre of excellence. In response to the EU's SET-PLAN, the Joint Programmes implement the need for better coordination among Member States, maximising synergies and identifying priorities for future funding.

CARTIF was accepted during the last e3s Steering Committee, celebrated in Amberes (Belgium).

E3s aims at mobilizing and sharing knowledge, tools, and methodologies to support the long term goals of European energy and climate policy, especially those related to using energy in a much more efficient way.

COLRECEPS PROJECT IN EURANET EURANET, the European Radio Network, an amalgamation of international, national, regional and local European broadcasters, brings a whole new dimension to reporting in Europe. A network of 14 EU radio stations, providing EU news to 20 million listeners.

COLRECEPS is one of the seven LIFE+ on going at CARTIF, whose main goal is the implementation of a demonstration prototype plant to recycle EPS waste to obtain pearls of EPS.

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REVAWASTE: INTEGRAL SYSTEM FOR MULTIWASTE RECYCLING This Project, led by CARTIF, has been widely reported in the media. This LIFE+ Project aim is to demonstrate the sustainable management of a broad spectrum of waste (industrial waste, waste treatment plant and agrofood waste) in an integrated plant.

This objective will be achieved through the development and practical application of a 'mixed plant' concept, which will support a new waste management strategy, based on separation, pre-treatment, recycling and valorization.

SOFTWARE TO PREDICT THE ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURISM CARTIF researchers have finished a tool for the prediction of the rupture risk, which is evaluated when the patient is under medical check-up.

Depending on the risk, subjected to surgical intervention or a period of revision. Knowing the dynamics of growth of the aneurysm is possible to evaluate the risk of rupture in a foreseeable more advanced state of evolution, allowing to establish a much more accurate personalized follow-up.

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keywords bioeconomy biotechnology second-generation refineries It is not always easy to understand the terminology and concepts used in the field of research and innovation. Development improves so quickly, supported by disclosure available mechanisms so it is not easy stay up to date. One of the last concepts to appear has been “bioproduct”. You could think it is referred to healthy food products. But, in this case, both concepts have no relation, although both concepts use the same prefix "bio".

Bioproducts are the result of biotechnology application under the industrial area, where through biological, biochemical and physical processes transform the biomass into bioplastics, biopaints, biolubricants, biomaterials of construction, bioenergy, biofuels, etc.

The concept “biotechnology” defines a set of science and techniques that create new products from biological systems or living organism. This first generation biotechnology allows obtaining competitive bioproducts in both attributes and prices, from oil rich plants, starches and sugars.

But innovation goes forward very fast and there is already a second-generation technology that is beginning to show results. This new technology allows transform oils, starches and sugars of the plants into bioproducts but also becomes any element of the plant into a bioproduct. It is called lignocellulosic transformation.

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bioproducts protein crops

In the short term, bioproducts production plants will be facilities that will be able to transform any biomass into bioproducts. These are called biorefineries.

Currently, EU has a 30% world bioproducts market shares. This market has a volume of 58,000 million euros and is expected to triple by 2020. Analysing the European bioproducts market, it has already detected the first barriers to innovation. Unfortunately, the list is long; from the lack of knowledge about potential of bioproducts and few contacts among

initiative is 3,800 million euros. Also, the EU will contribute with 1,000 million euros to H2020 budget and industrial partners committed the rest. This will allow an exceptional mobilization of resources, since for each euro of public money invested, the industry will invest 2,8 euros.

CARTIF that participates in the BBI Consortium, have been working in biorefinery for years to identify major added-value products (chemicals, materials and fuels) to be produced from waste and biomass. In this sense, CARTIF is working in VALORPLUS Project since 2013. Cofunded by EU under the FP7, whose main aim is to develop closed loop integrated biorefineries that were sustainable and economically viable.

companies, until insufficient access to new supply chains, demonstration facilities and investments.

One way to boost the development of these technologies and products is through the funding of R&D. The EC and its Action Plan for Sustainable Bioeconomy in Europe has created a JTI (Joint Technology Initiative) to work in socalled “Biobased industries�. The aim of EC is to fund projects that help overcome the gap between research and the market (known as the "valley of death").

The Biobased Industries Consortium, which gathers 170 companies, clusters and research organizations in industry, agriculture and forestry. The estimated budged for bioindustries

These second generation biorefineries, as we noted earlier, allow full use of biomass (zero waste) to generate maximum value from available resources. Not only that, unlike typical biorefineries, based on the production of a single product using a biomass fraction (for example, the use of oil to produce biodiesel), is a definite advance to eliminate generated waste troubles, thereby it will reduce the dependence on food crops.

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European research networks and cooperation: EIP's and COST ACTION According to the latest trends in research on these subjects, CARTIF is involved in the new European Research landscape participating in professional networks and technical platforms. Among others, it belongs to the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability working in the Protein Crops focus group, which met twenty experts from universities and research centres, federations of farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs of different countries such as Hungary, Italy, Spain, Holland, Belgium, France, Ireland, Finland, Great Britain, Austria and Germany last January at the CARTIF facilities in Valladolid.

Their task is to analyse the possibilities of enhancing protein crops in Europe to reduce imports of these products, like soya, considering that currently imports 70%, which consumed in the old continent.

The EC has proposed to reduce the import by 50% in 2040. The key challenges for this are that European countries can produce these products at a competitive price and the agricultural land in southern Europe is not suitable for all products required (especially soybean and canola).

For these reasons, the discussion group have to weigh the possibilities of introducing new crops, which may appear in competitive conditions and can replace the imported products. Their findings will help to the European authorities to make

decisions in the next years.CARTIF researchers take part in this group due to their experience on projects based on protein concentration and feed production from protein crops.

The COST Actions are European initiatives to encourage the research in specific areas of interest and the exchange of experiences among researchers of the 27 EU members. CARTIF has been chosen to represent Spain in the Management Committee of COST Action FP1205. In this action in particular, it is working over innovative applications of cellulose fibers from wood recovered. For the next 4 years, thanks to this network of cooperation between research groups from universities and research centres in 20 countries of the EU, will be achieved enhancing the knowledge about the different processes of valorisation of cellulose fibers to resolve barriers that nowadays make difficult the sale of biomaterials.

CARTIF is also involved in two of the Working Groups of COST ACTION TD1203; Food Waste Valorisation for Sustainable Chemicals, Materials and Fuels (EUBis), whose goal is to provide renewable alternative sources for the production of fuels and materials by studying new and advance ways for the valorisation of wastes from the food chain.

the project VALOR PLUS: Improving by-product output through sustainable and integrated closed loop biorefineries With first generation biorefineries proving to be unsustainable in the long term, the Valor Plus project is helping second generation biorefineries deliver an innovative and commercially viable new solution.

The new generation biorefineries are integrated, closed loop and designed to make the best use of biorefinery by-products to deliver high value new products. The Valor Plus project is providing new knowledge, new biotechnologies and new products that support the release, refinement and transformation of lignocellulosic biomass lipids and low-volume functional chemicals to produce multiple bulk and high-value product streams.

The Valor Plus project supports the realisation of sustainable, economically viable closed loop integrated biorefineries through the development of new knowledge, (bio-)technologies and products that enable valorisation of key biorefinery byproducts.

The benefit of this valorisation process is to allow the full use of the biomass with zero waste, thereby generating the highest value return. In addition, optimum use is made of available resources with improved efficiency built into the process, resulting in multiple product stream processes. Ultimately, the end outcome is increased commercial competitiveness and profitability.

The Valor Plus project is focused on five key areas:

pre-treatment and fractionation, hemicellulose valorization, lignin valorization, and demonstration of the technological and economic potential.

CARTIF's team is working in the glycerol valorization, engineering of new microorganisms suitable for the fermentation of crude glycerol to higher value product streams.

With funding from the EU FP7, the Valor Plus project consists of a strong consortium of 14 partners, including SMEs, research centres, universities and one large enterprise from many European countries: the UK Health & Environment Research Institute, Brunel University, CARTIF, Abengoa, GmbH, Asebio, Instituto Tecnol贸gico del Embalaje, Transporte y Logistica, Beta Renowable Group, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Biobasic Environenment, Technische Universitaet Muenchen and Politecnico Di Milano.

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talking with…

Researchers in Bioproducts Projects Not many people in Spain knew about this field when CARTIF researchers began to be interested in biomass concept. Fifteen years later, concepts such as pellets, boilers, district heating, biofuel and other similar expressions, are more common for consumers. This kind of renewable energy source is increasingly used in houses and industries. On these fifteen years, technology has been advanced in an unstoppable way.

It was a first generation biofuels and after came a second generation. Now, closed cycle biorefineries are at the forefront of the sector. In less than twenty years, researchers have achieved the complete use of biomass and wastes as an alternative to fossil fuels.

In opinion of Cecilia Sanz, this large progress is due to economic incentives for researching of EU, but, also, as indicate Mónica Ruiz, there is an important need of industries in Cecilia Sanz.

Chemical Engineer's the search of new Degree. Valorization of raw materials bioresources from different to fossil agroforest and wood sectors. sources.

In few cases, the changing of production process has been as closed of real needs of markets. Biorefineries have been surged as

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solution that first generation biofuels troubles produced, particularly, the dependence of crops suitable for human consumption and generation of waste. Although, it is common the use of raw materials such as corn or sunflowers, researchers are trying to increase the use of lignins and cellulose to produce bioethanol and biodiesel. As explained Mónica Ruiz Mónica Ruiz, MSc in Biological Sciences, and Bachelor the focus of Degree in Engineering R&D in this of Agrofood. Agrofood waste valorization sector is to related to advanced develop a new fermentation systems. process for the digestion of these types of biomass with the main goal of be able fermentable sugars that turn in valued bioproducts. A good example of this, is VALOR PLUS Project. The team of CARTIF researchers coordinated by Mónica Ruiz, will work the next four years in the development and use of new microorganisms, that are be able to ferment crude glycerol unrefined, the waste from the production of biodiesel.

Cecilia Sanz remembers the first project about development of bioproducts, where CARTIF worked. It was called FORBIOPLAST. The main idea of this project was to use

wood fibers to substitute glass fibers on the manufacture of the inside and outside of vehicles and on the packaging of the agriculture sector. Thanks to this experience, Cecilia was invited to attend the European network of researchers, COST, through the Action FP1205 in which different research groups share knowledge about applications of regenerated wood cellulose fibres.

Europe is the largest packaging market made with bioplastic monopolizing more than 50% of the world's production.

The CARTIF research lines have evolved from implement of solutions to efficient use of the biomass to develop of innovative processes for closing Paloma Gatón. the cycle of biorefineries.

MSc in Biology. Antioxidant Furthermore, the researchers, activity analysis, proteins extraction and waste Mónica Ruiz, Cecilia Sanz and valorization and appraisal.

Paloma Gatón, have had to work in the development of projects WHETLAC was other project focused on biomaterials that was coordinated and attend on groups of knowledge that

by CARTIF. This project has achieved the opens the doors to new technologies. Much transformation of deproteinized whey from of their work means take part in certain the cheese manufacture by immobilized international forums such as COST Actions, microorganisms in order to efficiently and European Innovation Partnership (EIP), or profitably obtain lactic acid. This material is public-private partnerships such as BBI (Bioused as a precursor of bioplastic in the based Industries). For them, it is an agrofood, cosmetic and pharmaceutical experience that gives “a little dizzy but also industries. a great satisfaction” in the words of Cecilia The BANEF project, still developing, will use Sanz, or, “a challenging but very rewarding” recycled fibres from cuttings generated to Mónica Ruiz. Being positioned on these during the cardboard packaging production organisms, allows to researchers give their process to make new trays. All these opinion about of the level of research bioproducts, in particularly the packaging, developing in Spain. They agree that Spain are requested for industry since several years, is at the same level than other European countries, although, as Mrs. Ruiz marks “Spain as Cecilia Sanz recalls. has joined a little later to the lobby groups According to European Bioplastic data, the than other European countries, particularly, growth of bioplastic production capacities is respect of the North”. steadily growing. In 2012, it amounted to 1,4 million tonnes and according to recent In a foreseeable future, the wish is the same: forecast, it will be multiplied in 2017, to get continue working on the same line and get more than 6 million tonnes. Nowadays, even more interesting projects.

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one of us SCIENTIFIC COLLECTION

A collection of comics brings science closer to youngest people through the biography of leading scientists. www.coleccion-cientificos.com This first experience was successfully and the possibility of creating a series of biographical comics about the most important scientists soon emerged.

However, the economic crisis and budget cuts were responsible to revoke the support that CSIC had provided them to include the project into its outreach programmes.

In science, as we know, the road is hard and laborious, but one of the features that every scientist should have is to know how to solve problems, to weigh what factors affecting a process and find solutions to it. So, editors decided to carry out their project through crowdfunding with the direct involvement of readers.

On 12 February 2009, Charles Darwin would have turned 200 years old. To celebrate the event, Jordi Bayarri, author and editor of comics and Tayra Lanuza, PhD in History of Science and CSIC (Spanish High Scientific Research Centre) researcher, decided to publish a comic book for children would be able to attract attention and awaken their interest in the British naturalist life.

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The result has been great. Apart from the reedition of Darwin comic, they have already published two others, dedicated to Newton and Galileo. It's also on going other title about Marie Curie, twice winner of Nobel Prize.

Although these books are aimed at a young audience, we can ensure that they are a great way for all-ages readers to learn and assimilate scientific and historical concepts in a pleasant and amusing way.

cartif selection JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY Bioconversion of ovine scotta into lactic acid with pure and mixed cultures of lactic acid bacteria Nicola Secchi, Daniela Giunta, Luca Pretti, Mónica Ruiz García, Tonina Roggio Scotta is the main byproduct in the making of ricotta cheese. It is widely produced in southern Europe and particularly in Italy where it represents a serious environmental pollutant due to its high lactose content. With the aim of evaluating whether scotta bioconversion into lactic acid can be considered as an alternative to its disposal, besides providing it with an added value, here the growth, fermentative performances, and lactic acid productions of pure and mixed cultures…

EQUILICUÁ Bioproducts shop online Equilicuá is a Spanish mini company, a shop or a laboratory. A few years ago, several designers joined through the Good for Environment project (G4E!) with the idea that every member of the platform work in based to ecodesign.

From this idea was born Fantastic Bioplastic, that is a variety of products of bioplastic - raincoats, neckerchief- obtained from 100% compostables and biodegradable potatoes.

Food and environment are the protagonists of this month. Our special recommendation is for the Equilicuá great (and green) idea: bioplastic products from potatoes.

EAT WITHOUT FEAR. J.M. Mulet. ED. Destino, 2014, 264 págs. 17,50€ Are there miraculous enzymes that allows us lose weight? Are the preservatives and dyestuffs carcinogenic? Organic or natural food? Are the additives poison for us? How will the future food be?

All these questions are answered in this book by J.M. Mulet, PhD in Biochemistry and professor at the University of Valencia (Spain). A book that through science behind made myths and fallacies clear about what we eat and in which the author argues that the current food is safe.

THE 11TH HOUR Leila Conners Petersen y Nadia Conners The first step to change something is to be aware of what we need to change. But, when the task is so huge and the damage so formidable, could cause stress and vertigo.

11TH Hour is a documentary film directed by Conners sisters and produced by Leonardo Di Caprio, who talks about the currently situation of our planet due to abuse that we done it.

More than 50 multidisciplinary experts share their view of current issue and reflect on the necessary changes to revert the damage caused. Changes have to be made government, industrial, policy decisions... but also have to reflected in individual daily reality. Everything counts.

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innovation engine