Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU)’s Post

🚨 New project alert! More than 40% of all chemicals contain aromatic compounds, yet almost all are produced today from fossil resources. At the same time, Europe’s pulp and paper industry generates millions of tonnes of black liquor, a lignin-rich byproduct that is often underused. The CBE JU-funded #SPLENDOR project will demonstrate a breakthrough one-step depolymerisation technology that converts black liquor lignin into high-value aromatic chemicals such as vanillin, bio-based plasticisers, and waterproof coatings. This scalable process is designed to operate directly in pulp mills, cutting costs, emissions, and waste while creating new revenue streams. What SPLENDOR will deliver: ▶️ Over 90% conversion of lignin into valuable bio-aromatics ▶️ Production of vanillin, waterproof coatings & bio-based tyre plasticisers ▶️ Demo plant in Finland ▶️ Up to 50,000 tonnes CO₂ savings annually in demo phase ▶️ Potential to save 50 million tonnes CO₂ within 10 years post-project ▶️ Market potential of €14 billion from 5 million tonnes of lignin processed annually in EU pulp mills The project is supported with €7.3 million in CBE JU funding and coordinated by Universiteit Gent, together with 11 partners across Europe, to redefine black liquor as a valuable resource for Europe’s circular bioeconomy.