PES BrighT FLAG

Borregaard has developed a unique and green chemistry platform (Bright) for the production of lignin-based biopolymers. These products can replace oil-based poly carboxylate polymers in markets where sustainable alternatives currently do not exist, such as detergents, pesticides and water treatment. Borregaard are in search of potential partners for an EU Flagship Proposal for the upscaling and commercialization of products based on this new chemistry platform. The development of the Bright technology has now progressed so far that it is ready for scale-up to demo/Flagship scale. The chemical modification is challenging, and the goal of the demo/Flagship is to demonstrate that the Bright technology can be scaled up, for the production of test volumes for verification with the end customer and for market introduction of products in selected markets. The scale of the demo/Flagship plant will be a small commercial unit, preparing the investment in a full-scale commercial unit if successful and developing the markets for a range of products on a commercial basis. The Bright technology has significant profitability potential, but in the current phase of the project there is also a significant market and technology risk. The project also has significant socio-economic benefits when it comes to promoting sustainability in accordance with the EU's Green Deal and the UN's sustainability goals. Bright prototypes from laboratory scale have proven to be able to replace oil-based chemicals in important markets such as detergents, pesticides and water purification, with a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.