As part of the funded Ionic Circular Eco project, Proionic has developed a technology platform that aims to create valuable products from waste streams in a much more sustainable and efficient way than before.
The funding period of the “Ionic Circular Eco” project funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) ended at the end of September. In the framework of the green frontrunner program, proionic was able to develop and patent its HIPE-REC® technology utilizing distillable ionic liquids to selectively extract lignin from various biomass waste streams. HIPE-REC® products – a cellulose and a lignin fraction – have been successfully converted into valuable sustainable materials.
Fig.1: Schematic illustration of the HIPE-REC® process.
Marcell Gyurkac (HIPE-REC® expert)
“I am very proud of our team when I look at all the prototypes that we were able to produce with our partners in the last year of our project. During the first 2 years of the funding period, we developed task-specific distillable ionic liquids and focused on process optimization, purification of the individual fractions and recycling of the ionic liquids, which is not always straightforward and successful. But now, at the end, we were able to generate prototypes including sustainable aviation fuels, textile filaments, paper, and even carbon fibers from waste biomass sources. After all the work this is very satisfying for all of us.”
Basic process cost calculations show very promising results for the production costs of HIPE-REC® lignin and cellulose pulp. Besides all the learning and development from the green frontrunner program which will enable proionic to support existing partners and customers in a more efficient way, also new partnerships will result from the project. The key to success will be the scale-up phase, which has already been initiated. A new type of reactor – specifically designed for the HIPE-REC® process – will soon be installed at proionic. This will pave the way for the next step towards the industrial implementation of the HIPE-REC® process.
Give us a call or send us an email.
To learn more about IL applications in the field of cellulose and/or lignin extractions processes please contact
Martina Ortner
PI Green Frontrunner
martina.ortner@proionic.com
T: +43 (0) 316 / 4009 – 4200
