We are looking for: • Recycling or by-product streams to integrate this process • Upscaling expertise • End users of the target products for the various application areas to obtain product specifications • Partners for the construction and operation of a pilot plant for 12 months, e.g., as a container solution The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ) have jointly developed a process for producing specialty chemicals from regional biomass. Based on an anaerobic fermentation process with mixed bacterial cultures, the complex biomass is microbially converted into the target products caproic and caprylic acid. In the subsequent downstream processing, the fatty acids are extracted from the fermentation broth and processed. These acids are used, for example, as additives in lubricants, cleaning agents, or animal feed, or can be further esterified in a subsequent step. Integrating the production process into existing biogas plants enables combined material and energy utilization of biomass, i.e., the production of biogas, fertilizer, and platform chemicals, thus increasing the flexibility of the biogas plant. By using inexpensive waste materials as feedstock for the production of basic chemicals, the process is environmentally friendly and resource-efficient. Additionally, it can also reduce disposal costs for organic waste. UFZ expertise: • Anaerobic fermentation processes • Efficient conversion of biomass to carboxylated platform chemicals or methane • Chain extension with lactic acid and ethanol, combination with syngas fermentation UFZ experts: Dr. Heike Sträuber, Dr. Flávio Baleeiro

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