ReBBloCS: Renewable Building Blocks from waste

Producing bulk and platform chemicals from streams that are currently considered to be waste and incinerated or landfilled can strongly reduce CO₂ emissions along product value chains. The ReBBloCS project aims to develop new circular value chains for the valorisation of complex and mixed waste streams into valuable chemical products using innovative conversion technologies.

In short:

Development of new value chains converting waste streams into valuable circular chemicals by innovative conversion technologies
Covering all links in the value chain and all relevant stakeholders: the waste collectors/owners, conversion technology providers, knowledge institutes and industry

Complex and wet waste streams

The quantities of the individual waste input streams are currently by far not enough to source the demand of industry for circular chemicals. Therefore, the aim is to efficiently use all available alternative, circular, and renewable feedstock; this includes the so-called complex and wet waste streams.

New value chains to close the cycle

New value chains will be developed where challenging waste sources (e.g., agro/food residues, mixed biomass/plastic, sludges etc.) are converted into new chemicals by a combination of innovative technologies (based on hydrolysis, pyrolysis & gasification).

The ReBBloCS project will develop the new value chains in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders: the waste collectors, conversion technology providers, knowledge institutes and industry. The goal is to close the cycle of the specific bulk- and platform chemicals by utilizing and valorizing complex waste streams.

Expected results

ReBBloCS will develop new value chains for a total of 9 circular bulk and platform chemicals for different industry sectors. A decision support tool will help to find optimal valorisation routes for “waste” streams towards building blocks for industry.

The activities of the ReBBloCS project are structured along the following perspectives:

Increasing the technological readiness levels of conversion technologies: the technology providers and knowledge institutes will develop the required conversion technologies and value chains.

Solving non-technological issues: the development of the decision tool allows partners to determine which route is viable in which instance. Also, relevant stakeholders will address legislative and policy related issues paving the way for successful implementation of circular solutions & value chains.
Ensuring implementation: through learning communities, knowledge dissemination and implementation strategies societal and industry awareness is strengthened and uptake of the developed value chains by industry is ensured.

After 10 years, the expected impact of the ReBBloCS project will be: 4 out of 6 technologies are developed into value chains including demonstrator plants and uptake of the circular building blocks by industry.