The VALORBIO project, titled "Consolidation of the Value Chain for Advanced Bioethanol through Process Reconfiguration and Efficiency," has a duration of 30 months, from July 2023 to December 2025. Its main objective is to reconfigure and enhance the efficiency of the production process of second-generation advanced bioethanol (2G) from organic waste. This initiative aims to optimize costs, efficiency, and performance, thereby increasing the technological competitiveness of the process in the market. To achieve this, we will address key technological challenges, such as designing personalized diets to maximize yields, implementing enzymatic recycling strategies, obtaining bioethanol from residual CO2, and integrating anaerobic digestion to valorize vinasse, a significant byproduct of the process.

The VALORBIO project is divided into 4 work packages (WPs). WP1 focuses on the selection and characterization of substrates, as well as establishing preliminary material and energy balances for the new biorefinery model. WPs 2 and 3 seek to optimize bioethanol production through the design of personalized diets and retrofitting strategies based on enzymatic recycling or vinasse valorization. WP4 focuses on techno-economic analysis and defining work scales for future industrial implementations. Additionally, it is worth noting that, during the project's execution, collaboration with two institutions with expertise in anaerobic digestion and gas fermentation is involved: AINIA and UVA, respectively.

The results of VALORBIO will have a significant impact on the 2G bioethanol value chain, making PERSEO Biotechnology more competitive nationally and internationally, and allowing waste management customers to generate higher revenues through efficient valorization of their waste into advanced bioethanol. Furthermore, an increase in process control and waste reduction is expected, promoting industrial circular development, reducing operational costs, and enhancing economic viability in the process implementation.