Borregaard receives funding for two bio-material innovation projects
Borregaard has been awarded funding of EUR1.56 million from the Research Council of Norway for two different innovation projects on the utilisation of lignin from wood.
EUR0.38 million of the funding will support a project called “Woca”, which aims to develop bio-based binders for the metallurgical industry. The binders represent a sustainable alternative to the oil-based products used in this industry today. The project will run for three years, starting in 2017, and has a total budget of EUR 2.65 million. WOCA is a continuation of a Research Council-funded project in which Borregaard and Elkem have collaborated for the past three years.
Modifying lignin
A further EUR1.18 million will go to an innovation project called “Ligno2G”. This project involves modifying lignin to enhance its performance in applications in areas such as agriculture and textile dyes. New, green lignin products will be able to replace petrochemical polymers. The project also starts in 2017, will run for four years, and has a total budget of EUR3.67 million. Parts of the project will be implemented in collaboration with external partners such as the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE).
Both projects have received funding from the EUR106.62 million advertised by the Research Council for innovation projects in business and industry. The funds were allocated to 125 projects among 400 applications received.
About Borregaard
Borregaard has one of the world's most advanced biorefineries. By using natural, sustainable raw materials, Borregaard produces advanced and environmentally friendly biochemicals and biomaterials that can replace oil-based products. Borregaard has 1080 employees in 16 countries and is a global leader in lignin-based products. Lignin accounts for almost half of Borregaard's sales, with plants in seven countries.
