CENER develops technologies to obtain new routes for the recovery of organic waste

The Biomass Department of CENER (National Center for Renewable Energy) is participating in 4 specific initiatives, the purpose of which is to develop the most appropriate value chains for the valorization of various organic waste, such as:

The design of a new concept of comprehensive and cascade valorization of the different fractions that make up the organic fraction of urban solid waste (FORSU) to obtain bioproducts with greater added value. CENER develops FORSU fractionation processes, and the valorization of carbohydrate, protein, lipid and lignin fractions. (Project “Circular Urban Biorefinery in Navarra”, financed by the Government of Navarra).

Exploit FORSU as a raw material to develop intermediate chemical products of industrial interest, with high performance and low level of impurity, such as lactic acid, succinic acid and biosurfactants. CENER leads the production of biosurfactants, valorizing the fermentation byproduct that remains after the production of bioethanol, succinic acid and lactic acid. (Project H2020-BBI “PERCAL”).

Minimize the gap between technological viability and industrial applications of urban waste recovery. CENER leads the FORSU valorization route, executing enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation in its BIO2C (Biorefinery and Bioenergy Center) demonstration plant (TRL7), for subsequent production of biopesticides and biopolyesters. (H2020 SCALIBUR Project).

Demonstrate hydrothermal liquefaction as a viable and sustainable technology for the production of fuels for road transport, using urban waste with little added value as raw material. CENER focuses on valorizing raw materials with a high organic nitrogen content, such as sewage sludge. (H2020 NextGenRoadFuels Project).

With these and other future initiatives, Cener is developing technology in order to obtain new organic waste valorization routes for subsequent incorporation at the industrial level, thus demonstrating its commitment and contribution to the road map of the circular economy proposed by the EurOpe Commission, and with the well -being of the society of the future.

Edited by Pilar Catalina