Ongoing trials of the latest technology are carried out in ECN's laboratories. We develop, test and improve technologies until they are truly ready for the market. For LIBRA, the big moment has arrived. The technology that converts a useless waste stream from paper mills into valuable bio-chemicals is available. Will you soon conquer the market with this unique technology?

Years of work have gone into LIBRA, or our LIgnine BioRefining Approach. Although it seemed impossible to crack lignin from biomass in a cost-effective way, we succeeded. "And we are proud of that. Several companies in the chemical and paper industries, among others, have already shown interest in our technology. We are now looking for parties with the right expertise to commercialise LIBRA and build the plants on an industrial scale," says ECN researcher Paul de Wild.

What is LIBRA?
LIBRA is a refining process for lignin, a key component of wood. Lignin has a complex structure that does not easily unravel. Paul: "ECN has devised a process to properly decompose the sticky substance that forms at higher temperatures. With LIBRA it is therefore possible to make sustainable aromatic chemicals for adhesives, bio-bitumen, insulation material (BioPUR), plastics, the pharmaceutical industry, cosmetics or foodstuffs."
Conquering the market

"Besides the social relevance of reusing waste materials, there is also direct money to be made for the paper industry from bio-aromatics. At present, residual paper streams are still incinerated. That is a mortal sin. LIBRA creates a new source of income," says Sjoerd Wittkampf. He is supervising the market introduction of LIBRA. "The technology was developed by ECN on a laboratory scale, which has been very successful. Therefore it is now time for a larger scale."
Manufacturing Industry

ECN is inviting the manufacturing industry to participate in the market introduction of LIBRA. Sjoerd: "We are looking for a company in the manufacturing industry that has a lot of experience in building pyrolysis plants or distillation columns. ECN has already found the 'launching customers', now we need a commercial company that wants to conquer the market with this technology!"

Want to know more about LIBRA? Contact Sjoerd Wittkampf to discuss opportunities for collaboration with ECN.

Reprinted from: www.ecn.nl.