HUGS · Project

Turning Biorefinery Waste Into Valuable Green Materials and Biofuels

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When you make bioplastics from plant sugars, you get a sticky dark residue called humins — think of it like the charred bits left in a pan after cooking. Until now, this stuff was just thrown away. HUGS figured out how to turn that waste into useful things: building blocks for new materials, composites, and even biofuels. It's like discovering that coffee grounds can become furniture — suddenly your waste stream becomes a second product line.

By the numbers

PhD researchers trained in humin valorization

consortium partners collaborating across the value chain

countries represented in the research network

100%

biobased content of PEF plastic (the parent product)

total project deliverables produced

The business problem

What needed solving

Biorefineries producing FDCA and PEF bioplastics generate significant quantities of humins — a dark, sticky by-product with no current commercial use. This waste stream adds disposal costs and reduces the overall economic efficiency of bioplastic production. Companies need a way to turn this liability into a revenue-generating product line.

The solution

What was built

The project produced 10 deliverables including a safety manual for biorefinery operations and research outputs from 5 PhD projects covering catalytic conversion of humins to chemical building blocks, humin-based composites, and biofuel production routes. Physico-chemical characterization methods and toxicity assessments were also developed.

Audience

Who needs this

FDCA and PEF bioplastic producers with humin waste streamsBiorefinery operators seeking to monetize side-streamsGreen composites manufacturers looking for bio-based precursorsChemical companies exploring renewable building blocksBiofuel producers interested in alternative feedstocks

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Bioplastics & Biopolymer Manufacturing

mid-size

Target: Companies producing FDCA or PEF bioplastics who generate humin by-products

If you are a bioplastics manufacturer dealing with humin waste from your FDCA/PEF production line — this project developed methods to convert those by-products into valuable building blocks and composites. Instead of paying for waste disposal, you could create a secondary revenue stream from material you already produce. The research was led by Avantium, the company commercializing PEF as the first 100% biobased high-performance plastic.

Biorefinery & Green Chemistry

any

Target: Biorefinery operators processing biomass into chemicals and fuels

If you are a biorefinery operator looking to maximize value from every input stream — this project mapped how humin side-streams can be catalytically converted into useful chemical building blocks and biofuels. The consortium of 8 partners across 4 countries tested both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis routes. Safety protocols for biorefinery operations were also developed and documented as a dedicated deliverable.

Advanced Composites & Materials

mid-size

Target: Composite material producers seeking bio-based feedstock alternatives

If you are a composites manufacturer seeking sustainable raw materials to replace petroleum-based inputs — this project explored using humin-derived materials as precursors for eco-friendly composites. The physico-chemical properties were characterized by 3 research centers and 2 universities specializing in polymer analysis. This could open a supply of bio-based composite feedstock tied to the growing PEF production market.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to implement humin valorization in our production?

The project data does not include specific cost figures for implementation. Since this was a Marie Curie training network (MSCA-ITN-EID), the focus was on research and PhD training rather than commercial cost modeling. A techno-economic evaluation was part of the training curriculum, but detailed cost data would need to be obtained from the coordinator Avantium.

Can this scale to industrial production volumes?

The research was conducted at laboratory and research-center scale across 8 partners. Avantium, as coordinator and the company commercializing PEF, is best positioned to assess scale-up feasibility since humins are a direct by-product of their FDCA production process. Industrial-scale validation would require further development beyond what this training network delivered.

What is the IP situation and can we license any of this?

As an MSCA-ITN-EID project coordinated by Avantium (a private SME), IP generated during the 5 PhD projects would be governed by the consortium agreement between the 8 partners. Avantium likely holds key exploitation rights given their role as coordinator and the direct link to their PEF commercialization. Licensing inquiries should be directed to Avantium Chemicals BV in the Netherlands.

Is this technology safe and compliant with regulations?

Safety and toxicity were explicitly addressed in the project work packages. A dedicated deliverable — 'Manual of safety biorefinery operations: Good practices in biorefinery operations' — was produced. This suggests the consortium took regulatory and safety considerations seriously, though specific regulatory approvals would depend on the final application.

When could we realistically use these results?

The project ran from 2015 to 2019 and is now closed. Results from the 5 PhD projects have been published in scientific journals. However, translating these findings into a production-ready process would require additional engineering and pilot testing. Avantium's ongoing PEF commercialization may accelerate humin valorization as a complementary business case.

How does this integrate with existing biorefinery operations?

The project specifically targeted side-stream valorization of existing FDCA/PEF production processes developed by Avantium. This means the technology is designed to bolt onto an existing biorefinery setup rather than requiring a standalone facility. Integration feasibility would depend on your specific process configuration and humin volumes.

Consortium

Who built it

The HUGS consortium of 8 partners across 4 countries (DE, ES, FR, NL) is led by Avantium Chemicals BV, a Dutch SME that is the global frontrunner in PEF bioplastic commercialization — making them uniquely positioned to exploit humin valorization results. The mix of 2 industry partners (25% industry ratio), 2 universities, and 3 research centers reflects the project's dual nature as both a training program and applied research effort. With only 1 SME, the consortium leans academic, which is typical for Marie Curie training networks but means commercial translation will depend heavily on Avantium's follow-through. The 4-country spread (Germany, Spain, France, Netherlands) covers key European bioeconomy hubs.

AVANTIUM CHEMICALS BVCoordinator · NL
UNIVERSITE DE TECHNOLOGIE DE COMPIEGNEpartner · FR
INSTITUT NATIONAL DE L ENVIRONNEMENT INDUSTRIEL ET DES RISQUES - INERISparticipant · FR
LEIBNIZ INSTITUT FUER KATALYSE EVparticipant · DE
UNIVERSIDAD DE CORDOBAparticipant · ES
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRSparticipant · FR

How to reach the team

Avantium Chemicals BV is a well-known Dutch SME in the bioplastics space. Their team can be reached through their corporate website avantium.com or via LinkedIn. They are publicly active in the PEF/FDCA space.

Order a report on this consortium See AVANTIUM CHEMICALS BV profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

SciTransfer can connect you directly with the HUGS research team and help you evaluate whether humin valorization fits your biorefinery or materials operation. Contact us for a detailed briefing.

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