C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y WP 3 Task Bio-based product Task leader: Przemysław Baraniecki, Crops2Industry “Non-food Crops-to-Industry schemes in EU27”

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Content 1.Objectives 2.Progress of work 3.Results 4.Status of deliverables & milestones 5.Problems encountered 6.Plans for the next 6 Months

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y WP3 Bio-based products (INF&MP, CHIMAR, KEFI, NCPRI, ACCIONA, HEMPFLAX) The main target of this WP 3 is to explore the potential and feasibility of the European industry to make high-value bio-based products from renewable agriculture and forestry feedstock and biotechnological routes Oils, 3.2. Fibers, 3.3. Resins, 3.4.Pharmaceutical and other specialty products.

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Ad. 1 Topics WP 3 – Bio-based products Task (topics): 1.Review on the product yielding capacity from various industrial crops streams 2.Identify desirable quality characteristics that feedstock has to meet for mature industrial processes 3.The report on raw materials from non-food crops as alternative to fossil, petroleum-based and chemical resources 4.Set prospects to widen the range of potential feedstocks for the understudy industrial uses, based on the technology improvements 5.Identify restricting factors that inhibit broader industrial use of the biomass feedstocks (supply, costs, physical traits, consistency in quality, technical performance, research gaps, etc) 6.Set forth research gaps, prospects and recommendations to procure bio-based products will be tackled

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 3.1 Oils (ITERG) ITERG’s will report on bio-products: biofuels (oleaginous crops and oils for biodiesel production), biolubricants, biopolymers, paintings, fat and vegetable oils, and derived products users (food industry, non-food industry and component manufacturers.

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y 2. Progress of work WP 3 – fibre flax – INF&MP proposition for all crops reports

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 1. Review on the product yielding capacity from various industrial crops streams The significance of the raw materials and bio- based products should be discussed and described on the base of current situation (vide questionnaires, which INF&MP is still asking for, waiting for completing)

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Flax (Linum Usitatissimum) Diameter of elementary fibre: 15 – 22 [µm]:

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y The task 1 as well as all other tasks will be completed after obtaining the results derived from the entire set of the questionnaires, filled-in by the project partners. The tasks 5 and 6 should be compatible; the task 6 should be elaborated on the basis of profound analysis of the materials of task 5.

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Non-deseeded raw strawBiomass for bio-fuel Deseeded raw straw Sowing seeds Raw material for food and pharmaceutics production Raw material for oil production Retting sewage Biogas Fertilization Pectine powder Repeated rettings Dew-retted strawShives & dust Burning fuel Wax production Paper production Fillers Technical fiber Short fiber scutched tows Short fiber matted tows Special Carded yarn Weaving Carded yarn Technical fabrics Bedlinen fabrics Decorative fabrics Ropes Cottonized fiber Nonwovens Cotton wool Paper prod. Special Carded yarn Weaving Carded yarn Technical fabrics Bedlinen fabrics Decorative fabrics Ropes Long scutched fiber Special Carded yarn Cleaning material Combing waste fiber Carded yarn Bedding material Insulating matarial Paper production Felts Threads Technical and decorative fabrics Nets and others Ropes Long combed fiberSpecial combed yarn Spinning waste material Weaving carded yarn Paper production Bedding material Nonwovens Technical fabrics Decorative fabrics Tablecloths fabrics Apparel fabrics Underwear fabrics Ropes Fire hoses Nets and other

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 1. Review on the product yielding capacity from various industrial crops streams Agriculture Raw Materials Primary Industrial Raw Materials Secondary Industrial Raw Materials Directions of use/Product example Retted straw Long scutched fiberHydraulic sealing Short fiber (tow)Nonwoven, insulation, Composite material, Pulp & paper Carded yarnTechnical fabrics Decorative fabrics, twine, ropes ShiveParticleboard,Insulation Solid biofuel Construction material, Substrate for mushrooms, Composite Materials, Pulp & paper DustCompost, Briquettes

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 2. Identify desirable quality characteristics that feedstock has to meet for mature industrial processes 2.1 Agricultural raw materials Retted straw - average technical length – over 60 cm - content of properly retted stems – over 90% - straw colour – light grey, steel grey, silver grey - straw shape – at least 70% of normal, straight stems - health condition – at least 80% of healthy stems - moisture content – utmost 16% - efficiency of long scutched fibre – at least 15%

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 2. Identify desirable quality characteristics that feedstock has to meet for mature industrial processes 2.2. Primary industrial raw materials - fibre length – minimum 500 mm - fibre thinness – below 6.0 tex - fibre delicacy – delicate and soft fibre - greasy feel – very greasy felt fibre required - colour – homogeneous steel grey fibre - total loses in carding – maximum than 3% - breaking force – maximum than 14 daN. Long scutched fibre

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 2. Identify desirable quality characteristics that feedstock has to meet for mature industrial processes 2.3 Secondary industrial raw materials Shive - moisture content – maximum 15% - fibre content – maximum 10% - the impurities content – maximum 15% - dust content – maximum 10% - content of required shive fraction – minimum 65%

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 3. The report on raw materials from non-food crops as alternative to fossil, petroleum-based and chemical resources 3.1 Agricultural raw materials Deseeded straw - flax biomass as solid fuel (briquettes, pellets) substituting fossil fuels (coal, lignite) - flax biomass as liquid fuel (second generation fuels) alternative to fossil liquid fuels (gasoline, diesel fuel) - additive of biomass in biogas reactors instead of fossil gas fuel (methane) - use in insulating mats instead of Styrofoam or mineral wool - replacement of man-made polymers based fillings in composites - use in production of low grade paper and elimination polymer based packaging

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 3. The report on raw materials from non-food crops as alternative to fossil, petroleum-based and chemical resources 3.2 Primary industrial raw materials - chemical fibres for spinning: PA, PE, PP, PAN, PET, PCV, PS, PW, glass fibre, carbon fibre, basalt fibre - reinforcing fibres in composite materials manufactured by press moulding: glass fibre, carbon fibre, PE, PP, PET, PCV, etc. - hydraulic sealing – synthetic sealing tapes Long fibre

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 3. The report on raw materials from non-food crops as alternative to fossil, petroleum-based and chemical resources 3.3 Secondary industrial raw materials Shive - particleboard bonded with natural bonding agents instead of particleboard bonded with synthetic bonding agents or particleboard based on polymers - additive for construction material replacing mineral fillers such as expanded clay aggregates - solid biofuel (briquettes and pellets) substituting fossil fuels (coal and lignite) - second generation fuels liquid fuel alternative to fossil liquid fuels (gasoline, diesel fuel). Lignocellulosic raw material can be used for production of bioethanol by hydrolysis and fermentation. Process covers three stages: preliminary processing with phosphoric acid, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. - fillers to replace synthetic fillers in composite materials - pulp to replace polymeric packaging materials - agricultural and gardening substrates replacing mineral substrates

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 4. Set prospects to widen the range of potential feedstock for the understudy industrial uses, based on the technology improvements 4.1 Agricultural raw materials Production of PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates) in statu nascendi by genetically engineered plants Linseed crops are considered as good targets for seed-specific PHA production. Advantages of PHA synthesis in fibrous plants in order to modify properties of plant fibres are: - no need for extraction, - low amount of PHA can have significant impact on fibre properties. - synthesis of biodegradable plastics in the million ton scale while bacteria or yeast produce material in the thousand ton scale. - when synthesized in plants to a level of 20-40% dry weight, PHA could become competitive with the petroleum based plastics.

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 4. Set prospects to widen the range of potential feedstock for the understudy industrial uses, based on the technology improvements 4.2 Primary industrial raw materials Development of new generation of fibres such as: biosilk, fibres on base of polylactic acid, poly- hydroxy- butyric acid (PHB) in statu nascendi, fibroin, natural nano-fibres, and nano-fillers (like nanolignin from flax for UV blocking)

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 5. Identify restricting factors that inhibit broader industrial use of the biomass feedstock (supply, costs, physical traits, consistency in quality, technical performance, research gaps, etc.) 5.1 Agricultural raw materials Costs Due to high low weight/volume ratio costs of straw transport are very high, especially when long fibre production is involved Straw processing results in numerous by-products which become a waste that company needs to address – this generates costs. Some of them must be utilized on sight as their transport is not economically viable. This may generate additional costs, especially when no profitable use is possible. Alternatively utilization of by products needs bearing costs, especially when it is difficult or impossible to commercialize these by-products. Non-deseeded flax straw can be used as solid biofuel. However, low yield as compared to other crops used for energy production make it not viable economically Retted straw

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 5. Identify restricting factors that inhibit broader industrial use of the biomass feedstock (supply, costs, physical traits, consistency in quality, technical performance, research gaps, etc.) Agricultural raw materials Physical traits Due to high low weight/volume ratio costs of straw transport are very high, especially when long fibre production is involved Yield of straw is too low to use for energy purposes. Biodeterioration, flammability limits the use of straw in some applications (whole stem mats) resulting from elimination of applications where moist conditions prevail. Consistency in quality Straw is a preliminary raw material having high impact on use and quality of all derivative products and by-products (fibres, yarns, fabrics, etc.), therefore its quality and quality is crucial. Quality faults have immediate impact on its application which usually is reflected in compromising the most premium uses. Retted straw

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 5. Identify restricting factors that inhibit broader industrial use of the biomass feedstock (supply, costs, physical traits, consistency in quality, technical performance, research gaps, etc.) Agricultural raw materials Research gaps New, economically feasible fibre extraction methods are necessary that will eliminate weather dependency of retting process Cell and tissue structure of a plant is very complex and still many information is missing which has straight impact on efficiency of fibre extraction technology (e.g. on efficiency of enzymes) Retted straw

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 6. Set forth research gaps, prospects and recommendations to procure bio-based products will be tackled 6.1. Agricultural raw materials Basic research genetic and agronomic studies to enhance economic value of flax yield testing insulating properties (acoustic, thermal) and energetic value of flax straw Applied research improvement of biomass/biofuel, pulp & paper, whole stem mats production technology from deseeded straw Prospects and recommendations intensify legislation necessary to increase the share of renewable raw materials in energy feedstock of EU promotion financial mechanisms to use flax straw for biomass/biofuel, pulp & paper, whole stem mats production. Such mechanisms are necessary to improve price competitiveness of these products and replace traditional goods based on fossil raw materials deseeded flax straw from seed plantations and plantations yielding poor fibre quality can be used for fuel. Deseeded straw

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 6. Set forth research gaps, prospects and recommendations to procure bio-based products will be tackled 6.1.Primary industrial raw materials Fibre Basic research genetic and agronomic studies to enhance economic value of flax yield testing insulating properties (acoustic, thermal) and energetic value of flax straw Applied research improvement of biomass/biofuel, pulp & paper, whole stem mats production technology from deseeded straw Prospects and recommendations intensify legislation necessary to increase the share of renewable raw materials in energy feedstock of EU promotion financial mechanisms to use flax straw for biomass/biofuel, pulp & paper, whole stem mats production. Such mechanisms are necessary to improve price competitiveness of these products and replace traditional goods based on fossil raw materials deseeded flax straw from seed plantations and plantations yielding poor fibre quality can be used for fuel.

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 6. Set forth research gaps, prospects and recommendations to procure bio-based products will be tackled 6.2 Secondary industrial raw materials Noils Basic research flax noils usefulness evaluation for production of new bioproducts from the group of worsted carded yarn, garments, table cloth, bedlinen, decorative fabrics Applied research manufacture technology development for production of fertilizers and fuel Prospects and recommendations wider use of noils for production of worsted carded yarn, garments, table cloth, bedlinen, decorative fabrics requires improvement of products manufacture technology and their competent promotion (education, PR, advertisement)

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Task 6. Set forth research gaps, prospects and recommendations to procure bio-based products will be tackled Product examples Medicinal use Basic research intensification of research on flax fibre use for production of wound dressings and band-aids research on lignan effect on cancer cells spread limitation in human body Prospects and recommendations production of wound dressings and band-aids with better healing properties resulting in quicker wound healing production of medicaments used in cancer treatment

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y 3. Results "Flax template" prepared for tasks Questionaires prepared and sent to WP3 partners to collect additional data Paritiall drafts prepared on some other tasks in WP 3 (medicinal plants, resins)

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y 4. Status of deliverables & milestones Delivery No. ScopeResponsible partnerDelivery dateStatus D 3.1 – D3.4 Oils * Fibres * Resins * Pharmacls * ITERG KEFI, INFMP CHIMAR NCPRI M 15, M 30 On track * … that can be produced by the European bio-industry Milestones : M13-M16 Compilation of information on… M12 (M14, M15&M16 on track)

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y 5. Difficulties encountered Cooperation between WP3 Leader and WP3 Partners: Questionaires feedback not satisfactory Poor information on advancement of work in WP3 (except Task 3.3; 3.4) Objective obstacles – many information necessary for WP 3 tasks are confidential, inclomplete or difficult to obtain

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Plans for WP 3 for the next 6 months Description of work Final version of WP 3 for Fibre flax, Questionaire results for Draft report on 2 selected plants in all tasks (Task ) WP3 (eg. Task 3.2 – flax, hemp) Final report on 2 selected plants in all tasks (Task ) WP3 (eg. Task 3.2 – flax, hemp) Draft report on 2 selected plants (Task ) WP3 (np. Task 3.2 – kenaf, nettle) 30

C R O P S T O I N D U S T R Y Thank you for your attention! 31