number 003. February 2014

BIOPRODUCTS

CONTENTS

CARTIF news

Keywords

The project

Talking with…

One of us

CARTIF selection

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publishedCARTIF Research Centre

Boecillo Technology Park.Valladolid, Spainwww.cartif.com

collaborationsConstruction and

Infrastructure Area. APS Area

designoopscooperative@gmail.com

photographyCover photomontage:

typopótamoInside pictures courtesy of:

Equilicuá, EFE, BBI andColección Científicos

Back cover picture:Aníbal Reñones

staffDunia Etura, Ana García,

María Parcero

EDITOR'S NOTEMany of the products that we use or consume, are “bio”, althoughwe don't know it. That means that these products, whose originare vegetable or animal, are the result to apply biotechnology tothe industrial area.

A bioproduct could be a cosmetic packing or a car dashboard. Butit also could be a biofuel, a raincoat or a paint can. The differencewith other products is the raw material from which they are made:biomass or waste. Two natural sources not pollutants that allow toget sustainable products that don't require of hydrocarbons fortheir manufacturing processes.

Biorefineries are the industrial plants where bioproducts are made.These plants are able to transform any biomass or waste into plastic,construction materials or fuels. CARTIF has been involved in R&Dprojects focused on bioproducts and first generation biofuels forfew years.

Under this experience, the Centre is in the cutting edge of theresearch: closed loop biorefineries designed to make the best useof biorefinery by-products to deliver high value new products.

We hope this new issue of CARTIF NEWSVIEW can help you tounderstand better these new concepts and to appreciate theirimportance in a foreseeable future.

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After 3 years of work, the international team oftechnicians, conservation experts and city plannersmembers of this FP7 consortium, presented the finalresults in Brussels to the Architects' Council of Europe

(ACE) within a Workshop.

The aim of the 3ENCULT project was to produceguidelines and solutions to upgrade historic buildingsin an energy efficient way and find the best solutionto answer the special requirements of an historic

building.

FINAL RESULTS OF 3ENCULT PROJECT CARTIF, MEMBER OF THE E3S JOINT PROGRAMMEThe Joint Programme on the Economic,Environmental and Social Impacts of EnergyPolicies and Technologies (“e3s”) constitutestrategic, permanent collaborations betweenmajor research organisations and institutesforming a virtual centre of excellence. Inresponse to the EU's SET-PLAN, the JointProgrammes implement the need for bettercoordination among Member States, maximisingsynergies and identifying priorities for futurefunding.

CARTIF was accepted during the last e3s SteeringCommittee, celebrated in Amberes (Belgium).

E3s aims at mobilizing and sharing knowledge,tools, and methodologies to support the longterm goals of European energy and climatepolicy, especially those related to using energyin a much more efficient way.

EURANET, the European Radio Network, anamalgamation of international, national, regionaland local European broadcasters, brings a wholenew dimension to reporting in Europe. A networkof 14 EU radio stations, providing EU news to

20 million listeners.

COLRECEPS is one of the seven LIFE+ on goingat CARTIF, whose main goal is the implementationof a demonstration prototype plant to recycle

EPS waste to obtain pearls of EPS.

COLRECEPS PROJECT IN EURANET

This news selection is just a small sample of the Center activities in the last month.You can follow us through our web and social networks.

cartif news

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CARTIF researchers have finished a tool for theprediction of the rupture risk, which is evaluatedwhen the patient is under medical check-up.Depending on the risk, subjected to surgicalintervention or a period of revision. Knowingthe dynamics of growth of the aneurysm ispossible to evaluate the risk of rupture in aforeseeable more advanced state of evolution,allowing to establish a much more accuratepersonalized follow-up.

SOFTWARE TO PREDICT THE ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURISM

REVAWASTE: INTEGRAL SYSTEM FOR MULTI-WASTE RECYCLING

This Project, led by CARTIF, has beenwidely reported in the media. ThisLIFE+ Project aim is to demonstratethe sustainable management of abroad spectrum of waste (industrialwaste, waste treatment plant andagrofood waste) in an integrated

plant.

This objective will be achievedthrough the development andpractical application of a 'mixedplant' concept, which will support anew waste management strategy,based on separation, pre-treatment,

recycling and valorization.

It is not always easy to understand theterminology and concepts used in the field ofresearch and innovation. Developmentimproves so quickly, supported by disclosureavailable mechanisms so it is not easy stay upto date. One of the last concepts to appear hasbeen “bioproduct”. You could think it is referredto healthy food products. But, in this case, bothconcepts have no relation, although bothconcepts use the same prefix "bio".

Bioproducts are the result of biotechnologyapplication under the industrial area, wherethrough biological, biochemical and physicalprocesses transform the biomass intobioplastics, biopaints, biolubricants, biomaterialsof construction, bioenergy, biofuels, etc.

The concept “biotechnology” defines a set ofscience and techniques that create newproducts from biological systems or livingorganism. This first generation biotechnologyallows obtaining competitive bioproducts inboth attributes and prices, from oil rich plants,starches and sugars.

But innovation goes forward very fast and thereis already a second-generation technology thatis beginning to show results. This new technologyallows transform oils, starches and sugars ofthe plants into bioproducts but also becomesany element of the plant into a bioproduct. Itis called lignocellulosic transformation.

In the short term, bioproducts production plantswill be facilities that will be able to transformany biomass into bioproducts. These are calledbiorefineries.

Currently, EU has a 30% world bioproductsmarket shares. This market has a volume of58,000 million euros and is expected to tripleby 2020. Analysing the European bioproductsmarket, it has already detected the first barriersto innovation. Unfortunately, the list is long;from the lack of knowledge about potential ofbioproducts and few contacts among

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keywordssecond-generation refineries

bioproductsbiotechnologyprotein crops

bioeconomy

companies, until insufficient access to newsupply chains, demonstration facilities andinvestments.

One way to boost the development of thesetechnologies and products is through thefunding of R&D. The EC and its Action Plan forSustainable Bioeconomy in Europe has createda JTI (Joint Technology Initiative) to work in so-called “Biobased industries”. The aim of EC isto fund projects that help overcome the gapbetween research and the market (known asthe "valley of death").

The Biobased Industries Consortium, whichgathers 170 companies, clusters and researchorganizations in industry, agriculture andforestry. The estimated budged for bioindustries

initiative is 3,800 million euros. Also, the EU willcontribute with 1,000 million euros to H2020budget and industrial partners committed therest. This will allow an exceptional mobilizationof resources, since for each euro of publicmoney invested, the industry will invest 2,8euros.

CARTIF that participates in the BBI Consortium,have been working in biorefinery for years toidentify major added-value products (chemicals,materials and fuels) to be produced from wasteand biomass. In this sense, CARTIF is workingin VALORPLUS Project since 2013. Co-funded by EU under the FP7, whosemain aim is to develop closed loopintegrated biorefineries that weresustainable and economically viable.

These second generat ionbiorefineries, as we noted earlier,allow full use of biomass (zerow a s t e ) t o g e n e r a t emaximum value fromavailable resources. Notonly that, unlike typicalbiorefineries, based onthe production of asingle product usinga biomass fraction(for example, theuse of oil to producebiodiesel), is a definiteadvance to eliminategenerated wastetroubles, thereby itw i l l reduce thedependence on foodcrops.

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According to the latest trends in research on thesesubjects, CARTIF is involved in the new EuropeanResearch landscape participating in professionalnetworks and technical platforms. Among others,it belongs to the European Innovation Partnership(EIP) on Agricultural Productivity and Sustainabilityworking in the Protein Crops focus group, whichmet twenty experts from universities and researchcentres, federations of farmers and agriculturalentrepreneurs of different countries such asHungary, Italy, Spain, Holland, Belgium, France,Ireland, Finland, Great Britain, Austria and Germanylast January at the CARTIF facilities in Valladolid.

Their task is to analyse the possibilities of enhancingprotein crops in Europe to reduce imports of theseproducts, like soya, considering that currentlyimports 70%, which consumed in the old continent.The EC has proposed to reduce the import by 50%in 2040. The key challenges for this are thatEuropean countries can produce these products ata competitive price and the agricultural land insouthern Europe is not suitable for all productsrequired (especially soybean and canola).

For these reasons, the discussion group have toweigh the possibilities of introducing new crops,which may appear in competitive conditions andcan replace the imported products. Their findingswill help to the European authorities to make

decisions in the next years.CARTIF researchers takepart in this group due to their experience on projectsbased on protein concentration and feed productionfrom protein crops.

The COST Actions are European initiatives toencourage the research in specific areas of interestand the exchange of experiences among researchersof the 27 EU members. CARTIF has been chosen torepresent Spain in the Management Committee ofCOST Action FP1205. In this action in particular, itis working over innovative applications of cellulosefibers from wood recovered. For the next 4 years,thanks to this network of cooperation betweenresearch groups from universities and researchcentres in 20 countries of the EU, will be achievedenhancing the knowledge about the differentprocesses of valorisation of cellulose fibers to resolvebarriers that nowadays make difficult the sale ofbiomaterials.

CARTIF is also involved in two of the WorkingGroups of COST ACTION TD1203; Food WasteValorisation for Sustainable Chemicals, Materialsand Fuels (EUBis), whose goal is to providerenewable alternative sources for the productionof fuels and materials by studying new andadvance ways for the valorisation of wastes fromthe food chain.

European research networks and cooperation: EIP's and COST ACTION

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pre- t reatment and f ract ionat ion ,hemicellulose valorization, lignin valorization,and demonstration of the technological andeconomic potential.

CARTIF's team is working in the glycerolva lor izat ion , eng ineer ing of newmicroorganisms su i tab le for thefermentation of crude glycerol to highervalue product streams.

With funding from the EU FP7, the Valor Plusproject consists of a strong consortium of14 partners, including SMEs, researchcentres, universities and one large enterprisefrom many European countries: the UKHealth & Environment Research Institute,Brunel University, CARTIF, Abengoa, GmbH,Asebio, Instituto Tecnológico del Embalaje,Transporte y Logistica, Beta RenowableGroup, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, BiobasicEnvironenment, Technische UniversitaetMuenchen and Politecnico Di Milano.

With first generation biorefineries proving to beunsustainable in the long term, the Valor Plus projectis helping second generation biorefineries deliveran innovative and commercially viable new solution.

The new generation biorefineries are integrated,closed loop and designed to make the best use ofbiorefinery by-products to deliver high value newproducts. The Valor Plus project is providing newknowledge, new biotechnologies and new productsthat support the release, refinement andtransformation of lignocellulosic biomass lipidsand low-volume functional chemicals to producemultiple bulk and high-value product streams.

The Valor Plus project supports the realisation ofsustainable, economically viable closed loopintegrated biorefineries through the developmentof new knowledge, (bio-)technologies and productsthat enable valorisation of key biorefinery by-products.

The benefit of this valorisation process is to allowthe full use of the biomass with zero waste, therebygenerating the highest value return. In addition,optimum use is made of available resources withimproved efficiency built into the process, resultingin multiple product stream processes. Ultimately,the end outcome is increased commercialcompetitiveness and profitability.

The Valor Plus project is focused on five key areas:

VALOR PLUS: Improving by-productoutput through sustainable andintegrated closed loop biorefineries

the project

Not many people in Spain knew about thisfield when CARTIF researchers began to beinterested in biomass concept. Fifteen yearslater, concepts such as pellets, boilers, districtheating, biofuel and other similar expressions,are more common for consumers. This kindof renewable energy source is increasinglyused in houses and industries. On thesefifteen years, technology has been advancedin an unstoppable way.

It was a first generation biofuels and aftercame a second generation. Now, closed -cycle biorefineries are at the forefront of thesector. In less than twenty years, researchershave achieved the complete use of biomassand wastes as an alternative to fossil fuels.In opinion of Cecilia Sanz, this large progressis due to economic incentives for researching

of EU, but, also, asindicate MónicaRuiz, there is animportant needof industries inthe search of newraw materialsdifferent to fossilsources.

In few cases, the changing of productionprocess has been as closed of real needs ofmarkets. Biorefineries have been surged as

solution that first generation biofuels troublesproduced, particularly, the dependence ofcrops suitable for human consumption andgeneration of waste. Although, it is commonthe use of raw materials such as corn orsunflowers, researchers are trying to increasethe use of lignins and cellulose to producebioethanol andbiodiesel. Ase x p l a i n e dMónica Ruiz,the focus ofR&D in thissector is todevelop a newprocess for thedigestion of these types of biomass with themain goal of be able fermentable sugars thatturn in valued bioproducts. A good exampleof this, is VALOR PLUS Project. The team ofCARTIF researchers coordinated by MónicaRuiz, will work the next four years in thed e v e l o p m e n t a n d u s e o f n e wmicroorganisms, that are be able to fermentcrude glycerol unrefined, the waste from theproduction of biodiesel.

Cecilia Sanz remembers the first projectabout development of bioproducts, whereCARTIF worked. It was called FORBIOPLAST.The main idea of this project was to use

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Cecilia Sanz.Chemical Engineer's

Degree. Valorization ofbioresources from

agroforest and woodsectors.

Mónica RuizMSc in BiologicalSciences, and BachelorDegree in Engineeringof Agrofood. Agrofoodwaste valorizationrelated to advancedfermentation systems.

Researchers in Bioproducts Projectstalking with…

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wood fibers to substitute glassfibers on the manufacture ofthe inside and outside ofvehicles and on the packagingof the agriculture sector. Thanksto this experience, Cecilia wasinvited to attend the Europeannetwork of researchers, COST,through the Action FP1205 inwhich different research groupsshare knowledge aboutapplications of regeneratedwood cellulose fibres.

WHETLAC was other projectfocused on biomaterials that was coordinatedby CARTIF. This project has achieved thetransformation of deproteinized whey fromthe cheese manufacture by immobilizedmicroorganisms in order to efficiently andprofitably obtain lactic acid. This material isused as a precursor of bioplastic in theagrofood, cosmetic and pharmaceuticalindustries.

The BANEF project, still developing, will userecycled fibres from cuttings generatedduring the cardboard packaging productionprocess to make new trays. All thesebioproducts, in particularly the packaging,are requested for industry since several years,as Cecilia Sanz recalls.

According to European Bioplastic data, thegrowth of bioplastic production capacities issteadily growing. In 2012, it amounted to 1,4million tonnes and according to recentforecast, it will be multiplied in 2017, to getmore than 6 million tonnes. Nowadays,

Europe is the largest packagingmarket made with bioplasticmonopolizing more than 50%of the world's production.

The CARTIF research lines haveevolved from implement ofsolutions to efficient use of theb iomass to deve lop o finnovative processes for closingthe cycle of biorefineries.Furthermore, the researchers,Mónica Ruiz, Cecilia Sanz andPaloma Gatón, have had to workin the development of projects

and attend on groups of knowledge thatopens the doors to new technologies. Muchof their work means take part in certaininternational forums such as COST Actions,European Innovation Partnership (EIP), orpublic-private partnerships such as BBI (Bio-based Industries). For them, it is anexperience that gives “a little dizzy but alsoa great satisfaction” in the words of CeciliaSanz, or, “a challenging but very rewarding”to Mónica Ruiz. Being positioned on theseorganisms, allows to researchers give theiropinion about of the level of researchdeveloping in Spain. They agree that Spainis at the same level than other Europeancountries, although, as Mrs. Ruiz marks “Spainhas joined a little later to the lobby groupsthan other European countries, particularly,respect of the North”.

In a foreseeable future, the wish is the same:continue working on the same line and geteven more interesting projects.

Paloma Gatón.MSc in Biology. Antioxidantactivity analysis, proteinsextraction and wastevalorization and appraisal.

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A collection of comics brings science closer to youngest people through thebiography of leading scientists. www.coleccion-cientificos.com

SCIENTIFIC COLLECTION

This first experience was successfully and thepossibility of creating a series of biographicalcomics about the most important scientistssoon emerged.

However, the economic crisis and budget cutswere responsible to revoke the support thatCSIC had provided them to include the projectinto its outreach programmes.

In science, as we know, the road is hard andlaborious, but one of the features that everyscientist should have is to know how to solveproblems, to weigh what factors affecting aprocess and find solutions to it. So, editorsdecided to carry out their project throughcrowdfunding with the direct involvement ofreaders.

The result has been great. Apart from the re-edition of Darwin comic, they have alreadypublished two others, dedicated to Newtonand Galileo. It's also on going other title aboutMarie Curie, twice winner of Nobel Prize.

Although these books are aimed at a youngaudience, we can ensure that they are a greatway for all-ages readers to learn and assimilatescientific and historical concepts in a pleasantand amusing way.

On 12 February 2009, Charles Darwin wouldhave turned 200 years old. To celebrate theevent, Jordi Bayarri, author and editor ofcomics and Tayra Lanuza, PhD in History ofScience and CSIC (Spanish High ScientificResearch Centre) researcher, decided topublish a comic book for children would beable to attract attention and awaken theirinterest in the British naturalist life.

one of us

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Are there miraculousenzymes that allows us loseweight? Are thepreservatives and dyestuffscarcinogenic? Organic ornatural food? Are theadditives poison for us? Howwill the future food be?

All these questions are answered in this book byJ.M. Mulet, PhD in Biochemistry and professor atthe University of Valencia (Spain). A book thatthrough science behind made myths and fallaciesclear about what we eat and in which the authorargues that the current food is safe.

The first step to changesomething is to be aware of whatwe need to change. But, whenthe task is so huge and thedamage so formidable, couldcause stress and vertigo.

11TH Hour is a documentary film directed byConners sisters and produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, who talks about the currently situation ofour planet due to abuse that we done it.

More than 50 multidisciplinary experts share theirview of current issue and reflect on the necessarychanges to revert the damage caused. Changeshave to be made government, industrial, policydecisions... but also have to reflected in individualdaily reality. Everything counts.

Scotta is the main by-product in the making ofricotta cheese. It is widelyproduced in southernEurope and particularly inItaly where it represents aserious environmentalpollutant due to its highlactose content. With the aimof evaluating whether scottabioconversion into lactic acid can be consideredas an alternative to its disposal, besides providingit with an added value, here the growth,fermentative performances, and lactic acidproductions of pure and mixed cultures…

JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGYBioconversion of ovine scotta into lactic acid with pure and

mixed cultures of lactic acid bacteriaNicola Secchi, Daniela Giunta, Luca Pretti, Mónica Ruiz García,

Tonina Roggio

EAT WITHOUT FEAR.J.M. Mulet. ED. Destino, 2014,264 págs. 17,50€

THE 11TH HOURLeila Conners Petersen y Nadia Conners

Equilicuá is a Spanish mini company, a shop or alaboratory. A few years ago, several designersjoined through the Good for Environment project(G4E!) with the idea that every member of theplatform work in based to ecodesign.

From this idea was born Fantastic Bioplastic, thatis a variety of products of bioplastic - raincoats,neckerchief- obtained from 100% compostablesand biodegradable potatoes.

EQUILICUÁBioproducts shop online

cartif selection

Food and environment are theprotagonists of this month. Ourspecial recommendation is forthe Equilicuá great (and green)idea: bioplastic products frompotatoes.

innovation engine