Innovative value chains from tree & shrub species grown in marginal lands as a source of biomass for bio-based industries

ended

BeonNAT Project aims to increase knowledge in obtaining different bioproducts from woody species, trees and shrubs, currently underused. The project assesses the key aspects in the value chain including a selection of the and includes a selection of the most adequate species for different European countries (WP1). BeonNAT is based on the following concepts: mixed cultivation of selected woody species in marginal lands using the coppice management method (WP2) and to obtain of a cascade of products within the biorefinery conception (WP3-WP7). The cultivation tests will be executed in different locations: Germany, Romania and Spain; and the biorefinery processes will be studied in research laboratories located in Portugal, Germany, Italy and Spain. The BeonNAT project emphasizes: 1) the need to achieve a higher level of knowledge about bioindustry oriented mixed crops and 2) their sustainable management with the aim of generating the appropriate raw materials to produce the target bioproducts. In BeonNAT 8 bioproducts will be produced including essential oils, extracts, woodpaper, particleboard, bioplastics, biochar, active carbon and absorbents. The whole value chains sustainability is analyzed in WP8 including economic, environmental and social impacts related to the future BeonNAT Biorefineries as well as the effects on biodiversity and market key aspects. Additionally, the project has an ambitious strategy for communication, dissemination and exploitation of results already designed in WP9. The consortium consists of 8 Research Technology Organizations, 5 Small and Medium Enterprises, 2 Large Enterprises and 1 Association.