New Approaches for Lignin Processing and Use: An Australian Perspective WCIB 2015 obert Speight Queensland University of Technology Queensland University of Technology
The Overall Vision INDUSTIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTY
Why Queensland? Tropical / sub-tropical climate Strong biomass yields all year
Existing agricultural industries Sugarcane Forestry Grains Cotton
New energy crops Bana grass Sweet sorghum Cassava Agave tequilana
QUT s approach Biotechnology and bioprocessing &D pipeline A team approach Biomass production processing enzyme development - synthetic biology fermentation downstream processing techno-economics Chemicals, plastics, resins, fuels, industrial enzymes, animal feed/supplements
Scale-Up of Projects Mackay enewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant
Novel biomass pretreatments Organic green solvent based processes Lower energy Fewer inhibitors More digestible and fermentable Improved fractionation 4 patents Glycerol Alkylene carbonates / glycols Ionic liquids
Enhanced animal feeds Demand for lower cost and more effective animal feeds Use of lower cost feedstocks Biorefinery residues egionally available Better digestibility Enhanced feeds Additives Enzymes Production at scale with partners
Biological Lignin Modification and Degradation Strain and Enzyme Discovery and Optimisation Proteomics
Hydrothermal liquefaction Whole biomass and lignin fractions Biocrude upgrading to chemicals and fuels Laboratory and pilot scale work Australia India Strategic esearch Fund Grand Challenges project $6 million project 3 years
Liquefaction Products Homogenous and heterogeneous catalysis Process modification for higher yields of fewer compounds Potential pharmacological or medicinal uses: 2,6-di(propan-2-yl)phenol 1,3-benzenediol 4-ethyl-2,4,5-trimethylphenol 4-ethylphenol benzyl alcohol Crude Oil Chemical precursors: 1,3-benzenediol, 4-ethyl-2-(1-methylethyl)- phenol 2,4,5-trimethyl-phenol 2,6-dimethyl-phenol 2-oxepanone 4-ethylphenol
Liquefaction Products Depolymerisation of organosolv lignin fractionated from eucalyptus Syringol Mesostructured silica- and phosphate-based catalysts 23% Syringol 17% Syringol using similar conditions
Starch composites Biocomposites Including elastomers Poly-3-hydroxybutyrates (PHB) Polyethylene films Multi-component composites (biomass derived) Microcrystalline cellulose Nanofibres Lignin
Adhesives, resins, coatings esins and adhesives Lignin PF resins Comparable properties to neat PF resins up to 30% lignin Used as adhesive in building materials, fibreboard products esins for formable plastics Coatings A fully recyclable water proof paper Lignin-based coating
Waterproof Lignin Coating Proven formulation creation at scale Favourable industrial coating trials excellent workability and coating consistency Tailored to end-user needs
Some of the Industrial Biotech Team Ian O Hara Sagadevan Mundree Bill Doherty Junior Te o Pilot Plant Heng-Ho Wong Darant Longford Vincent Barfield Ian Mackinnon Director Institute for Future Environments
Economic value QUT commissioned a study by Deloitte Access Economics and Corelli Consulting Assessed scenarios relating to significant investment in biorefineries over the next 20 years eport was released by Federal Industry Minister Macfarlane on 22nd September 2014 in Canberra
Projects and regions egion 1 North Queensland Project A Polyethylene from sugarcane Project B esins from green waste egion 2 Whitsunday Project C Succinic acid from sugarcane bagasse 4 5 6 egion 3 Central Queensland Project D Aviation fuel from Brigalow regrowth 1 egion 4 Wide Bay Burnett Project E Levulinic acid from forestry residues Project F Ethanol from sweet sorghum 3 2 egion 5 Darling Downs/South West Project G Ethanol from sorghum stover 5 4 6
Potential economic impact Worth >$20 billion over the next 20 years (NPV) 6,640 jobs by 2035 Strengthened and diversified agriculture sector
Qld Government Support Economic diversification Support for agriculture Funding Advance Queensland Policy www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/resources/brochure/ bioindustrial-opportunities-map.pdf
Biofuels