Case study: Fuel
Developing new sources of bio-based fuels and chemicals.
Challenge
Facing reduced demand in the pulp and paper industry, Circa Chemicals came to the University of York to see what could be done with its abundant supply of cellulose.
Strategy
Researchers in the Department of Chemistry discovered a process to convert the cellulose into a platform molecule for use in the manufacture of a range of biorenewable chemicals.
Outcome
Circa established a UK subsidiary but, without suitable scale up facilities locally, initial scale-up studies took place in France. The company has built a pilot demonstrator in Australia.
Next steps
The Biorenewables Development Centre is now in discussions with Circa and believes it could anchor the full value chain for this new biorenewable chemical supply in the UK and accelerate its commercial adoption.