The LIFE VIABLE project

Valorization of lignin bIomass into competitive components grAdually replacing BPA in the formuLation of Epoxy resins

BPA Bisphenol A (BPA) is a commodity chemical produced world-wide in a large volume every year. It is used in the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonates. However, its endocrine disrupting properties and its fossil-based composition raise concerns about its environmental impact and health toxicity as well as its sustainability.

The LIFE VIABLE project therefore aims to improve the sustainability and the environmental impact of epoxy resins manufacture by lowering the BPA content in the formulation of epoxy resins by 20 to 50%.

News - In the spotlight

Presentation at the Plant Based Summit

Karolien Vanbroekhoven from VITO, presented the LIFE VIABLE project at the 7th edition of the Plant Based Summit, held in Lille in June.

Stay tuned for upcoming events where you could meet one of us and talk about the project

After 1 year and a half of the Life VIABLE project, fourth meeting with the partners in Pau

Our bi-annual meeting took place this week in Pau, with all the project partners. Some people left, some new people have joined us but we are still on tracks!

Next time, we will go to Westlake to see where the epoxy resin will be produced

Need for more sustainable epoxies – lignin based developments

VITO together with the collaborators of Greece made a short critical review that gives an insight on the potential that lignin and its bio-oils present towards the production of thermosetting epoxy polymers and composites.

Pilot on site and start up planned by September 2023

VITO has been designing, and constructing the LignoValue pilot plant since 2018 and the pilot has been installed on site at VITO’s location in Mol, Belgium. It is now ready for operation. Meanwhile the site is also been developed, to ensure available utilities for continuous operation from September 2023 onwards.

Third live meeting with all VIABLE partners

Tuesday 11th october, we were in Nantes, France for the 3rd meeting of the partners.
LIFE VIABLE Project is on track with promising results. Looking forward to share them with you. We’ll keep you posted.

👉 If you want to learn more about VIABLE, don’t hesitate to contact us !

First live meeting with all VIABLE partners

After a few months working together on the VIABLE project, we finally got together for our first face-to-face meeting at VITO. We were able to discuss the first milestones and future plans.

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Project Partners

VITO (BE) - Flemish Institute for Technological Research, a leading EU research and technology organisation will coordinate the project. Through their pilot plant, VITO will ensure the depolymerisation of lignin, the fractionation and the supply of biobased alternatives for BPA to Solvay.

Site: https://vito.be/en

APESA (FR) - a technological centre specialised in environmental assessment - will be in charge of monitoring the different impacts of the project.

Site: https://www.apesa-france.com/

CIMV (FR) - a SME with more than 20 years of experience in lignin valorisation - will provide its expertise in lignin reactivity and will produce organosolv lignin.

Site: http://www.cimv.fr/

HP Composites, partner of Viable Project

HP composites (IT)- a manufacturer of composites components for several markets - will integrate the new epoxy resins in composites for both aesthetic and structural car parts. Their role in the project will range from design to final homologation of the car components

Site: https://www.hpcomposites.it/en/

Dissemination and valorization of the results will be performed by Polymeris (FR), a cluster with a large EU network in the field of polymers and composites for various industrial sectors.

Site: http://polymeris.fr

SOLVAY (UK) - a global manufacturer of materials and chemicals is a key producer of epoxy resins in Europe - will produce in operational environment the lignin-based epoxy resins.

Site: https://www.solvay.com/en/

CRF (IT) - a research and innovation centre of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles - will demonstrate the feasibility of these car components

Site:https ://www.linkedin.com/company/centro-ricerche-fiat/

Westlake Epoxy (NL) - production and marketing of epoxy resins for more than 50 years. Will manage the upscale of the epoxy resin production within the project

Site: https://www.westlakeepoxy.com/

Who are they ?