Bio-Based Products

Communicating the related environmental benefits of bio-based products to consumers represents a key component of their market uptake. In this regard, the use of ecolabels ISO 14024 Type I play a crucial role. This article identifies and analyzes different criteria proposed by ecolabels for conducting a sustainability assessment of bio-based products considering its entire lifecycle. A comparison of the selected criteria with existing indicators ruled out by the SDGs is proposed. Through expert consultation, the suitability of existing ecolabel criteria for bio-based products has been tested for four applications of biobased products: food packaging from PLA; biobased automotive components; bio-based mulch film; and bio-based insulation material.

Green Sorbitol- and Isosorbide-Based Flame Retardants for Cotton Fabrics

Flame retardancy is often required in various textile applications. Halogenated flame retardants (FR) are commonly used since they have good FR performance. Several of these components are listed under REACH. Halogen-free FR compounds have been developed as alternatives. So far, not many biobased FR have made it to the market and are being applied in the textile sector, leaving great opportunities since biobased products are experiencing a renaissance. In this study, renewable FR based on sorbitol and isosorbide were synthesised. The reaction was performed in the melt. The resulting biobased FR were characterised via FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Cotton fabrics functionalized with the developed biobased FR passed ISO 15025 FR test. After washing, the FR properties of the fabrics decreased (longer afterflame and afterglow time) but still complied with ISO 15025, indicating the biobased FR were semi-permanent. The amount of residue of modified sorbitol and isosorbide measured at 600°C in air was 31% and 27%, respectively. Cotton treated with biobased modified FR showed no ignition during cone calorimetry experiments, indicating a flame retardancy. Furthermore, a charring of the FR containing samples was observed by means of cone calorimetry and TGA measurements.

Bringing the concept of drop-in fuels into the pulp and paper industry

The pulp and paper sector is undertaking several initiatives to decrease the carbon footprint of its industrial activities. To do so, any emission must be offset by introducing efficient carbon fixation strategies such as reforestation and the development of biobased products and processes. The production of drop-in fuels may play an important role in this scenario. Drop-in fuels provide a good way to add value to otherwise underutilized process streams and wastes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing other environmental impacts, and improving process sustainability.

3-ROUTES PLATFORM FOR RECOVERY OF HIGH VALUE PRODUCTS, ENERGY AND BIO-FERTILIZER FROM URBAN BIOWASTE: THE REVENUE PROJECT

This innovative Biorefinery platform is based on the integration of a mild thermal pre-treatment and a solid/liquid separation unit to parallel-integrated bioprocesses specifically selected on food waste distinctive chemical composition: a liquid fraction, rich in readily fermentable sugars, to be transformed into valuable biobased products, and a solid organic residue to enhance biomethane production generating a fully hygienized digestate to be recycled. The preliminary results in terms of VFAs yields and composition from the acidogenic stage, and the methane conversion rate from the anaerobic digestion of the solid residue, are here presented