CONCEPT

CAFIPLA CONCEPT

The overall concept is to optimize, integrate and demonstrate two platform pre-treatment technologies (CAP and FRP) in a TRL 5 demonstration unit using a mixture of regionally available, mixed organic waste streams.

The main element of the CAFIPLA pre-treatment scheme is the initial mechanical separation of fibrous biomass and soft biomass (easily biodegradable biomass).

For each biomass type, specific value chains are put in place. The soft biomass is pre-treated in the CAP, while the fibrous biomass is further pre-treated in the FRP. This initial mechanical separation takes into account the specificities of each type of biomass, which automatically results in an adapted, more cost-effective and efficient valorisation of each fraction.

Pre-treatment CAP

The first pre-treatment concerns the CAP, focusing on the easily degradable organics part of bio-waste. CAFIPLA will focus on the conversion process towards a specific SCCA fermentation (including lactic acid), independent of the input composition. The CAP focusses on biochemical transformations via fermentation technology, to yield carboxylic acids in solution, which are an input to produce biochemicals, feed products or bioproducts.

Pre-treatment FRP

The second pre-treatment, the FRP, focusses on mechanical pre-treatment.  The FRP valorises the fibrous residue from the CAP and will extract fibres of different quality for further applications. 

Application

Any remaining organics after CAP-FRP will be converted to biogas and/or compost using a modified DRANCO process. The CAFIPLA intermediate products will be validated for five different applications: three different SCCA mixtures will be used in the production process for PHA, MP and MCCA. The fibres will be applied for fibre reinforced biopolymers (composite) as well as a fibre ingredient for thermal insulation material. This proves the broad range of potential application domains for the CAFIPLA platform. Other valorisation routes are also possible and will be further identified throughout the project and in cooperation with other EU-funded projects.

CAFIPLA process scheme

Image Source:  Header: Adobestock; CAFIPLA process scheme: Pixabay, Adobestock, CAFIPLA consortia