AGRE-0061 The Whole Crop Biorefinery Project

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Biological Conversion : ECLAIR Cluster VIII - Biorefinery : Process Engineering : Protein/Amino Acid : Separation/Fractionation : Starch : Storage/Transport : Straw : Vegetable Oil/Fat

AGRE-0061 The Whole Crop Biorefinery Project 1 June 1991 - 31 May 1992

Conventional processing of agro-industrial crops, such as wheat, tends to be on a large scale, aimed at a single product, produced from grain which has been selectively harvested, removed from the straw using a combine harvester. This project looked at the possibility of challenging this conventional approach combining whole-crop harvesting with a series of integrated production lines, which would (it was hoped) produce synergistic benefits. The use of smaller scale facilities, situated close to the agricultural source, would reduce transport distances, with only the more valuable products sent out of the area - rather than the movement of millions of tonnes of whole grain as at present. Results indicate that a wheat-based biorefinery, based on traditional harvesting, could be profitable. However, enzymatic fractionation of rapeseed would not be profitable. In general results have required a reassessment of the concept, indicating that biorefineries cannot be competitive producing bulk products, but would have to develop niche markets or act as a link between farmer and industry or consumer, producing tailor made intermediate raw materials.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Christian KJOLLER / Bioraf Denmark Foundation DENMARK