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Towards a strengthened circular economy for the valorization of wood bark co-products by extracting molecules of interest as an alternative to synthetic products in agronomy and wood protection.
The Grande Région is characterized by the presence of a large, well-established, interconnected wood processing industry (supplies and sales) that generates a variety of by-products, including bark, which is currently little used (for energy or mulch).
The region also boasts a number of chemical companies looking for biosourced alternatives, with a strong interest in extractable molecules derived from plant resources. Apart from a handful of specialized players, there is as yet no plant-based extraction industry in the area capable of meeting this demand.
ExtraBark aims to fill this gap, by exploring the development of such an industry. The project proposes the development and validation of innovative, industrializable models based on the use of bark for molecule extraction. Two promising application sectors will be investigated as a priority in view of current environmental challenges: plant protection and wood materials.
ExtraBark covers the full range of bark valorization options, including the exploitation of the final residues after extraction of the molecules of interest.
The results obtained will be used primarily by wood and chemical companies in the Greater Region, as well as their regional support organizations.
ExtraBark integrates all bark recovery methods, including the exploitation of the final residues of lesser value after extraction (energy or insulation panels). The results obtained will be used primarily by wood and chemical companies and SMEs in the Greater Region, as well as their regional support organizations.
The development of this sector is a response to the reality of existing cross-border connections between industrial players capable of proposing appropriate solutions. At present, bark is mainly burnt (with a low calorific value) or used as mulch. Thanks to the extraction of the molecules of interest present in bark, a new stage of valorization will be added, increasing the value of the bark. In this way, ExtraBark will address the whole issue of tree bark processing: from the separation of wood from species to the processing of co-products after extraction of molecules of interest.
The project will provide the information and tools needed by players in the value chain to develop the industry and optimize the use of the resource. The development of new sanitary products of biological origin by the consortium aims to improve the general health of plants and reduce the use of phytosanitary products.
7 Partenaires financiers
4 Partenaires méthodologiques
