Co-Innovation - TAMK - VALMET - Bio4all

The Bio4all project develops a low-carbon value chain for converting challenging forest and agricultural side streams into renewable aviation and marine fuels, chemicals and materials. The feedstocks studied include sawdust, forest residues, bark and straw.

The project investigates biomass pretreatment, fast and catalytic pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, catalytic upgrading of bio-oils and the fractionation of bio-oils for different applications. The carbon efficiency of the value chain is improved by utilising side streams generated during liquefaction and upgrading, including biochar, aqueous fractions and gaseous compounds. Water recycling and nutrient recovery are also investigated.

Based on the research results, an integrated process concept and simulation model covering the entire production chain will be developed. The technical and economic feasibility and climate impacts of the concept will be assessed using techno-economic and life cycle assessment methods. The Business Finland-funded Co-Innovation joint project is implemented in 2024–2026 in collaboration between research organisations and companies representing different parts of the value chain.

The production of chemicals, plastics and liquid fuels is still largely based on fossil crude oil. Electrification is reducing the use of fossil fuels, particularly in road transport, but sustainably produced liquid fuels will continue to be needed in aviation and maritime transport. At the same time, the chemical industry needs renewable sources of carbon to replace fossil raw materials.

Forest and agricultural residues and side streams represent a significant domestic resource that could be used to produce higher-value products. However, converting challenging biomass feedstocks into high-quality fuels and chemicals requires the development of the entire value chain. Key challenges include impurities in biomass, the high oxygen content and instability of bio-oils, rapid catalyst deactivation and the complex chemical composition of bio-oils.

The economic viability and environmental performance of these processes also depend on how efficiently the carbon contained in biomass and the side streams generated during processing can be utilised. Bio4all addresses these needs by combining biomass pretreatment, liquefaction, product upgrading, side-stream utilisation and the modelling and assessment of the complete process chain.

The main goal of the Bio4all project is to develop a low-carbon and technically and economically feasible pathway from forest and agricultural side streams to renewable fuels, chemicals and materials. The project aims to improve liquefaction processes through the selective pretreatment of biomass while recovering valuable hemicellulose fractions suitable for further processing.

The project produces and investigates pyrolysis and hydrothermal bio-oils, develops their catalytic upgrading and creates a concept for an industrial-scale process. Bio-oils are fractionated into raw materials for fuels, chemicals, resins and other materials. Analytical methods are developed and validated to assess the composition and quality of the products.

New utilisation pathways are developed for biochar, aqueous process streams and gaseous side streams. The recovery of valuable carbon compounds and nutrients from aqueous fractions and the recycling of process water are also investigated. Small quantities of selected fuels and chemical intermediates are produced for testing. A process model covering the entire value chain is developed to assess and optimise the technical and economic performance and climate impacts of the concept. The project aims to raise the technology readiness of the key processing steps surrounding biomass liquefaction to TRL 5.

Bio4all supports the transition from fossil raw materials to renewable fuels, chemicals and materials. The solutions developed in the project enable more efficient use of forest and agricultural residues as well as process side streams. Converting side streams into valuable products improves the carbon efficiency of biomass utilisation, supports the circular economy and can reduce the climate and water footprints of the production chain.

The research data, experimental results and process models generated by the project provide a basis for further technology development, pilot-scale demonstrations and future industrial investments. The results can be applied to biomass pretreatment, bio-oil production and upgrading, catalyst development, the utilisation of biochar and aqueous side streams, and the production of renewable fuels and chemicals.

Collaboration between research organisations and companies strengthens Finnish expertise, research infrastructure and business networks throughout the value chain. The anticipated long-term impacts include new exportable technologies and products, investments, employment and stronger international competitiveness for Finnish process technology and bioeconomy expertise. The use of domestic biomass residues can also reduce dependence on imported fossil raw materials and improve security of supply.

Business Finland Co-Innovation

Business Finland