BIOVAL: Integrated BIOrefinery to VALorize CO2 and biomass for the co-production of advanced biofuels and bioproducts

The BIOVAL project creates, develops, and scales up an advanced, energy-driven circular biorefinery designed for near-zero waste and zero carbon emissions. This 36-month initiative provides a tangible pathway for developing new energy technologies that are circular, affordable, safe, and environmentally friendly.

 

The biorefinery’s innovation lies in its unique multi-feedstock, multi-product design. It valorizes diverse inputs, including biogenic CO2 emissions and various biomass wastes. Using microalgae cultivation and bacterial gas fermentation as its core technologies, the system produces a range of outputs, from advanced biofuels (like algal HVO, bio-H2, and biogas) to high-value bioproducts like natural pigments (e.g., astaxanthin).

 

A circular design philosophy guides the entire process, maximizing energy and mass integration to achieve its zero-waste and zero-emission targets with minimal energy needs. Advanced computational tools are significant methodologies that support the design, modeling, optimization, and scaling of these bioprocesses.

 

To ensure viability, the project scales up and validates its core technologies in relevant environments (TRL5). A comprehensive assessment of the process’s environmental, techno-economic, and social impact is conducted, considering both regional and local levels. Furthermore, the biofuels produced are benchmarked against existing market alternatives to ensure they represent a competitive solution.

 

This work directly supports the European Union’s ambitious climate and energy goals, including the target for a 40-45% renewable energy share by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. By boosting innovative and sustainable technologies, BIOVAL contributes to the EU’s Key Strategic Orientation of creating the first digitally enabled, circular, and climate-neutral economy.

Our main tasks

• Project coordination
• Cost supply analysis and mobilization patterns
• Process modelling and Multidisciplinary design optimization
• Dissemination and Communication actions
• Exploitation activities including IPR and Innovation management
• Clustering, stakeholders, and training activities
• Administrative and financial management
• Risk and research data management

Partners

IDENER.AI | BIOTREND | A4F ALGAE FOR FUTURE | UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN | ETHNICON METSOVION POLYTECHNION | INSA TOULOUSE | INRAE | IMDEA ENERGY | NORVENTO ENERXÍA | RINA

Start date – finish date

10 / 2025 - 09 / 2028