BIWIN2, another step towards sustainability in the Basque Country
The BIWIN2 project, coordinated by GAIKER, will generate knowledge on sustainable processes for converting agri-food and agricultural waste into biodegradable materials and cellulose micro-nano reinforcements
The BIWIN2 project, ‘Bioprocesses and sustainable processes with potential scalability for obtaining materials of industrial interest (biopolyesters and bio-reinforcements) from residual biomass,’ led by the GAIKER technology centre, will be a step towards sustainability in the Basque Country.
The recovery of biomass, especially local waste biomass, in new materials is a key area of research for harnessing renewable natural resources and generating sustainable products with applications in various industrial sectors. This process requires the development of technologies that optimise the conversion of waste into high-value raw materials, contributing to the creation of regional value chains and the manufacture of industrial products, all with a focus on minimising environmental impact.
This is the context in which the BIWIN2 project has emerged, a fundamental research project created with the aim of generating knowledge about sustainable processes for the conversion of agri-food and agricultural waste into biodegradable materials (medium-chain polyhydroxyalkanoates) and micro-nano cellulose reinforcements. Specifically, it focuses on waste from the wine industry due to its availability for management and its high added value, as in addition to providing lignocellulosic waste, it is rich in sugars.
Although the project focuses on bioprocesses, fractionation processes and chemical processes to achieve TRL 3-4 levels, with an emphasis on sustainability, the ultimate goal is for the knowledge to be potentially scalable within a limited time frame and in the industrial environment of the Basque Country, thus facilitating the availability of new resources in value-added applications. For this reason, proof of concept tests have been defined in cutting-edge sectors such as biodegradable and recyclable food packaging under safe conditions, and the automotive coatings/paints sector.
