The European Commission, through CORDIS, has released the results of BioUPGRADE, a now-completed research project into new applications of natural polymers from biomass. The project focused on the use of cellulose, hemicellulose, and chitin in packaging materials, conductive inks, and hydrogels, among other applications. BioUPGRADE ran from 2021 to the end of 2025, was led by Aalto University in Finland, and received nearly 3 million euros in European funding. CIC BioGUNE, KTH, and UPM Kymmene were also part of the consortium.
BioUPGRADE chose a different approach than many existing biomass processing routes. The focus was not on the complete breakdown of plant-based raw materials, but on the targeted processing of natural polymers already present in biomass. The underlying idea is that such structures can be used for materials with specific properties, even without complete decomposition.
Do not break down into sugars first
In many biorefinery processes, biomass is first broken down into sugars or other simple molecules, which then serve as the basis for fuels, chemicals, or materials. BioUPGRADE focused precisely on the step before that. The project investigated how natural fiber structures and polymers can be directly modified using enzymes and other biocatalysts.
The focus here was primarily on cellulose, hemicellulose, and chitin. These are structural biopolymers that occur in large quantities in plant-based and other natural raw materials. According to the project description, there is still much room for new material applications, precisely because these substances are usually not utilized in this way.
Enzymes for targeted processing
Within the project, work was carried out using biocatalysts that not only break down material but can also alter the properties of fibers and surfaces. These involve proteins and enzymes that, for example, influence the accessibility of fibers or can add chemical groups to the material.
According to the European project summary, the researchers also developed microplatforms to select such biocatalysts based on very specific properties. This involved examining changes in porosity, charge, flow behavior, and chemical functionality.
So-called ancestral enzymes were also part of the research. These are reconstructed variants of ancient proteins that may possess properties that are less strongly present in modern enzymes. Within BioUPGRADE, exansins, endoglucanase, and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase, among others, were investigated.
Scaling up to 200 liters
The project was not limited to small-scale laboratory research. According to CORDIS, microbial expansins have been scaled up in bioreactors ranging from 5 to 200 liters. That is not yet industrial production, but it is a step demonstrating that the project also looked at the practical application of such enzymes.
The researchers used a system in which the protein is secreted directly outside the cell. This can simplify production because fewer purification steps are required. Such process choices are important for determining whether a biotechnological route can become economically viable later on.
Moreover, the presence of UPM Kymmene in the consortium indicates that industrial applications were also considered from the outset. According to the project site, this partner was involved in the modification of lignocellulosic fibers for future use in materials.
Coatings, inks and hydrogels
The outcomes of BioUPGRADE point to various application directions. The Brussels summary mentions packaging materials, conductive inks for bioelectronics, and hydrogels for health and personal care. With this, the project demonstrates that enzymatic processing of natural polymers is relevant not only for fundamental research but also for concrete material development.
The project's publication page also features studies on cellulose nanocrystals and cellulose-based coatings. Such applications align with markets seeking new materials based on renewable raw materials, without relying directly on fossil carbon.
Building blocks for continuation
BioUPGRADE has not resulted in a direct market introduction. Further steps are required for this in scaling up, process development, and validation in industrial chains. However, the results do show that natural polymers from biomass can be adapted more specifically than is the case in many existing routes.
As a result, the project primarily offers starting points for follow-up research and further development. The focus was not on the complete breakdown of biomass, but on the processing of structures already present in the material. It is precisely this approach that makes BioUPGRADE interesting for the development of new biobased materials.
Source: CORDIS, Results in Brief about BioUPGRADE
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