AFORE project develops new bio-based solutions for wood processing
Tekes / Matias Uusikylä Future wood processing will take place in biorefineries operating with the principles of sustainable development.The starting point of AFORE project is to capture more valuable raw materials from wood materials and production side-streams without disrupting the main process.
These value combinations can be utilised as source materials in chemical, material and fuel applications. The project will focus on two paths: upgrading the current kraft pulping process into a multi-product biorefinery concept and development of entirely new wood-based biorefinery concepts. Some of the technologies developed in the project are trusted to be applicable in current projects rather quickly.
The research supports the aspirations of the European wood processing industry and associated industrial value chain according to the ideals of sustainable development. It is estimated that by these means European forest and pulping industry can substantially increase its profitability and overall income within 10 years with positive impact on the waste formation and sustainability of the process.
The budget of the four-year AFORE (Added-value from polymer and chemicals by new integrated separation, fractionation and up-grading technologies) project is 10.9 million euros. The project will be concluded in 2013. There are a total of 19 partners in the project, in addition to VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland 17 of which come from Europe and one from the United States. The eight companies involved, research institutes and universities form a consortium, which enables the attainment of challenging targets.
www.eu-afore.fi
www.vtt.fi
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