THUNDER aims to develop an innovative, modular solution for e-MeOH production, addressing high costs, energy demand, and inefficiencies of benchmark. Using a one-pot tandem approach, the solution combines three reactions: (1) CO2 and H2O vapor capture, (2) co-electrolysis to produce CO and green H2, and (3) CO2/CO hydrogenation to synthesize e-MeOH. THUNDER will enhance efficiency with multifunctional membranes for CO2 capture, advanced electrocatalysts for CO and H2 production, and thermochemical catalysts for hydrogenating CO2 and CO into e-MeOH. Using renewable energy and recovering surplus heat, THUNDER will reduce energy consumption compared to benchmark. THUNDER modular design reduces infrastructure costs, optimizes material use, and minimizes reliance on critical raw materials. THUNDER’s impact on process efficiency, cost, sustainability, and renewable energy will be evaluated along the project. 5. It’s expected to be a reduction in green house emission of 75%, 50-60% in CAPEX and 8-16% in OPEX. Additionally, by recycling CO2/H2O vapor and residual heat from fuel cells, THUNDER facilitates e-MeOH production for fuel cell energy generation, effectively closing the carbon loop and optimizing overall resource and energy efficiency. Key outputs include: (i) advanced materials such as catalysts, membranes, and 3D-printed reactors from recycled titanium, (ii) process intensification, integrating all steps into a unified system, (iii) technology optimization from TRL3 to TRL4 through testing with real and simulated flue gases, and (iv) validation of e-MeOH in fuel cells for mobility and electricity applications. In summary, THUNDER will play a pivotal role in the transition to a sustainable economy, fostering modular, efficient and cost-competitive production of carbon-neutral synthetic fuels production from renewable energies.

The main goal of the WoodCircus is to increase knowledge, raise awareness and improve conditions for an uptake of resource efficient processing and recycling in wood-based value chains, fostering increased competitiveness of the European woodworking sector. WoodCircus identifies, evaluates and disseminates the outstanding good practises in process efficiency, wood waste collection, management and recycling in the woodworking value chains in Europe with a focus on construction with wood. Achieving a thorough evaluation of the overall system’s performance and a validation of the most relevant transferable solutions, WoodCircus produces sound, critical evidence and tangible decision support information for market actors, stakeholders and policymakers. WoodCircus establishes a well-integrated network between wood processing industries and the waste management sector engaging excellence for future-oriented joint promotion of the wood sector in the Circular Bioeconomy. WoodCircus implements the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy and the EU Bioeconomy Strategy targets ensuring intelligent utilisation of forest resources and sets up an interface to the EC Raw Materials Information System and the JRC Bioeconomy Knowledge Centre . WoodCircus major outcomes are: 1) Good practice database; 2) Open competition on individual good practice showcases and award to SMEs; 3) Performance and sustainability assessment; 4) Validated best performing supply chain typology for broad transfer; 5) RDTI plan wood industries towards the Circular Economy;(6) White Paper including policy recommendations and communication strategies; 7) WoodCircus Network, established on solid commitments from partners and stakeholders for follow-up beyond the project lifetime. WoodCircus is based on a balanced mix of leading RTO and companies with proven expertise all along the woodworking and construction value chains including waste valorisation and associations at local, national and international level.

The WaterProof project proposes a resource efficient solution convert CO2 emissions from waste(water) processing into green consumer products. At the heart of the WaterProof concept is an electrochemical process that converts CO2, originating from waste incineration and wastewater processing, to produce formic acid. This reaction is paired with the generation of high-energy oxidants, which are used to remove persistent contaminants from wastewater thereby contributing to a clean water cycle with zero-waste. The energy to run the electrochemical process is provided by waste incineration facility. The formic acid is a feedstock for the production of Acidic Deep Eutectic Solvents (ADES). These ADES are used to extract precious metals from water treatment sludge and incinerator ash. Additionally, the formic acid is used for fish leather tanning to sustainably produce fish leather and will be tested in consumer cleaning products. The WaterProof technology results in a GHG reduction based on CO2 utilization, replacement of fossil feedstock and by industrial electrification. In the WaterProof project, a TRL 6 plant is constructed, including innovative downstream processing. The conversion of CO2 from wastewater treatment and the CO2 captured at a waste incinerator is demonstrated in two consecutive campaigns. To maximize impact of the WaterProof technology, life-cycle assessments and a full business case analysis are initiated in the early stage of the project to provide targets for technology development. A marketing and deployment strategy is developed to ensure social acceptance of the WaterProof technology. Besides the reduction of GHG emissions, WaterProof will have societal impact by, creating awareness trough interaction with policy makers and civil society and the creation of new jobs in innovative fields. By targeting an industry as essential as waste(water) treatment, WaterProof aims to create a concept that can impact society and climate on a big scale.

InnProBio aims to build a community of public procurement practitioners interested in Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) with Bio-Based Products and Services (BBPS). The community will be supported by online network facilities. Based on stakeholder identification and needs assessment the project consortium will develop an elaborated and legally solid toolbox which will assist public procurers to inform themselves about BBPS and ultimately provide all relevant information to prepare an actual tender. The toolbox will be used for capacity building activities including trainings for public procurers and decision makers, market dialogues and exchanges with standardization experts. It will furthermore be presented in an online decision support tool and a multilingual handbook. The workshop and dialogue concept for trainings can subsequently be used throughout Europe. Recommendations for decision makers and standardization bodies on how to support PPI of BBPS in order to boost innovation in Europe’s bioeconomy will be provided. Feasibility of an cross-national buyers group of public procurers on the innovation procurement of BBPS will be assessed. Based on a dissemination and exploitation strategy, project results will be communicated through various channels to the relevant target groups (public procurers, public decision makers, business, standardization bodies and NGOs). Specific groups will be set up on the Procurement Forum (www.procurement-forum.eu). The community will be one channel to share and distribute project results. Via the integration of the project and its products into the existing Procurement of Innovation Platform (https://www.innovation-procurement.org/), the project results will be sustainable. Integration of the bio-based products section is a win-win situation for the existing platform and for the bio-based products sector who as a newcomer can profit from existing infrastructure and knowledge.