Organisation Description - France AGRICE Agriculture for Chemicals and Energy

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National Activities - France

AGRICE Agriculture for Chemicals and Energy, France - Research Activities

Introduction

The emergence of new markets for agricultural products in the fields of energy, chemicals and materials requires the deployment of significant resources for long-term research. These new outlets also necessitate greater coordination between diverse actors including multidisciplinary research teams, agro-industrial companies and firms in user sectors of activity (petrochemicals, chemicals, materials, etc).

In this perspective, the scientific interest group AGRICE was created by the public authorities and eight partners in France in 1994.

AGRICE presently brings together the following partners:

• Institute Français du Pétrole, INRA, CNRS and ADEME
• professional organisations of producers of oilseed crops (ONIDOL), grains (AGPB) and beets (CGB)
• Rhône-Poulenc, Total, Limagrain and EdF from the corporate sector
• government ministries of agriculture, industry, research and environment

AGRICE is chartered for a renewable period of six years, and its management entrusted to ADEME.

Priority research topics

1. Biofuels for Vehicles AGRICE supports long-term research efforts into bioadditives aimed at improving the competitiveness of additive and fuel products at all levels under the EU Altener Programme (300,000 tonnes/year of vegetable oil ester and 85,000 tonnes of ethanol for conversion to ETBE).
1. Biofuels for Thermal Uses ADEME is piloting a plan for the development of fuelwood in commercial/institutional/multifamily applications. The 350 existing boiler plants of this type in France displace 100,000 TOE of petroleum products per year. Certain selected projects, such as those planned in the lower Normandy and Nord-Pas-de-Calais regions, include plans for plant short rotation coppices (SRC) to provide supplementary supplies for fuelwood boilers in the medium term.
1. Biomaterials and Biomolecules Scientific and technological research focuses on specific conversion activities in the following fields: development of biopolymers which, depending on the application, are biodegradable or suitable for composting, to replace plastics; conception of biomolecules (surfactants, solvents, lubricants) for the chemicals and petrochemicals sector. Within AGRICE, studies on novel activities are encompassed in the ENVIE (environment - technological awareness - international affairs - economics) programme.

Research Programmes

During the four-year period from its inception to 1997, AGRICE has initiated 217 research projects, representing a total of 342 MF before tax. In 1997, 25 projects out of more than 60 proposals were co-funded. In addition, 29 projects, submitted and self-financed by the founding members of AGRICE, were initiated. These 64 projects (see figure below) represent a total investment of 80.5 million francs. AGRICE members have invested 32.4 MF (public partners 23.8 MF, private partners 8.6 MF) and non-member businesses and laboratories have contributed 48.42 MF.

In 1997, research in esters and biomolecules continued and activities aimed at production of heat and electicity started up. The scientific council set up two sectoral groups that included outside specialists. The first focused on the market for biolubricants, while the second studied the hydrolysis of lignocellulose and fermentation of the hydrolysates obtained. The conclusions from these working groups were used to set the following priorities for 1998:

• biolubricant demonstration projects with an emphasis on environmental and/or health benefits in the areas of lubrication in agro-food industries; forestry operations; foundry stripping oils; oil for two-stroke engines
• the two-stage acid hydrolysis of lignocellulose in pretreatment phases including fermentation of pentoses in ethanol; research on new, more specific enzymes; improved fermentation using new microorganisms and yeast strains

AGRICE is a member of ERRMA.

OFFICERS
Philippe MANGIN, chairman of the EMC2 agricultural cooperative held the presidency of AGRICE in 1997. He was replace in 1998 by Jacques SIRET, vice-chairman of EPIS Centre. Pierre FEILLET, research director at INRA, is chairman of the scientific council and Claude ROY, director for agriculture and bioenergy at ADEME, ensures executive management of the group, replacing Philippe MAUGUIN.

The information in this item was taken from the
AGRICE Activity Report 1994-7
ISBN 2-86817-286-5

Contacts

Contact

• Claude ROY / AGRICE/ADEME Agriculture & Bioenergie / FRANCE