Mobile and flexible processing of biomass – EU project Mobile Flip

EU project MOBILE FLIP in the SPIRE program aims at developing and demonstrating mobile processes for the treatment of underexploited agro- and forest based biomass resources into products and intermediates. The processes are evaluated in terms of raw material flexibility, as the biomass resources are typically scattered and seasonal. Process concepts have been designed around the key technologies pelletizing, torrefaction, slow pyrolysis, hydrothermal pretreatment and carbonisation. The products vary depending on the process concept, being typically fuels as such or for co-combustion (pellets, torrefied pellets, biocoals), biochars for soil remediation, biodegradable pesticides for agricultural or forestry use or chemicals for wood panel industry and sugars and hydrolysable cellulose as intermediate for the sugar platform. The concept evaluations are supported both by research and industrial (SME and large industries) partners in the whole value chains. Dissemination, communication and exploitation activities are an integral part of the project. Life-cycle analysis and a wide sustainability evaluation (economic, environmental and social assessment) are carried out for the process concepts in order to clarify their potential for flexible raw material valorisation. The partners are represented by the coauthors in this presentation: four SMEs, two large companies, six research organizations. The project duration is four years and total budget approximately EUR 10 million.