About the FlexBio project
Project summary
The rapid growth, urbanization and increasing prosperity of the world population demand better utilization of existing bioresources along with development of new and sustainable food production. In response to this challenge, the concept of biorefineries have emerged. A biorefinery resembles a petroleum refinery, but instead of processing crude oil they specialise in converting biomass into a variety of valuable products. Biorefineries that upcycle rest raw materials from the food value chain exist, but they are typically equipped to process only singular types of feedstocks and a limited range of products. This poses a challenge in Norway, where available biomasses are scattered across sectors in different regions of the country. The main aim of FlexBio is to develop flexible biorefinery technology needed to transform local Norwegian biomasses from the food value chain into feed ingredients. By-products from the meat and dairy processing industry as well as urban food waste (fruits and vegetables) will be used as feedstocks. To realize this goal, FlexBio will generate new knowledge on the following key research topics: 1. Flexible biorefinery approaches based on combinations of tunable enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation processes. 2. Sensor-based process analytical technology (PAT) for efficient optimization and adaptation to different feedstocks. 3. Sustainability and policy framework assessment to ensure adoption of flexible biorefineries in society. The goals of FlexBio will be achieved through cross-disciplinary research involving cutting-edge biotechnology, analytical chemistry, data science and social sciences. The project also ensures the engagement of strong industrial partners which generate by-products (Tine, Norsk Kylling) as well as biotech industries engaged in processing biomasses (Norilia, Greentech Innovators, NUAS and CHITOFUN).
Participants at NMBU