AIR3-CT94-1990 Novel Fermentation Feedstocks

Contacts
Further Information



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AIR Cluster III - Bioconversion : Biological Conversion : Bulk Chemicals : Fine Chemicals

	Contract No	AIR3-CT94-1990
	Total Cost	309 000
	EC Contribution	309 000
	Start Date	01/12/1994
	Duration	30 months

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A Concerted Action programme approved by the European Commission in 1994 aims to identify novel fermentation feedstock sources and technologies and co-ordinate national European RTD works. Regional variations will be identified and the most economic and environmentally acceptable process chains defined. There is an urgent need to develop low cost feedstocks within the European Union to:

• reduce pressures an the environment;
• establish new markets for agricultural produce;
• provide employment;
• generate sustainable commercial opportunities for European agriculture.

Under the Third Framework for RTD sponsored by the DG XII, this Concerted Action has established a representative EU network (more than 70 members from 12 Member States) with appropriate technological and economic expertise to evaluate all aspects in production of fermentation chemicals from biomass, from field to factory. Using this network it will:

• Identify realisable value added chains through technical and economic evaluations between crop growers and end product markets.
• Identify appropriate technology and make suggestions on how to fill technology gaps.
• Interconnect potential participants in the value added chains and researchers in various EU locations.
• Establish a self sustaining European organisation that will continue and extend this activity.

The programme is co ordinated by Dr.J.H. Lukas, Managing Director of AGROL Ltd., UK, an innovative biotechnology company, majoring in thermophilic fermentations. He places special emphasis on the collection of cost data to establish economic models to evaluate the various crops, feedstocks and process options in order to select viable supply chains. Project officers on the programme are Dr. N. Baghaei Yazdi and Dr. E.B. Holmes.

The network will disseminate its findings to interested groups. This will be achieved by publishing the findings of the workshops as widely as possible in the secondary scientific press while the final report will be circulated to the popular press and the appropriate political addressees. A central database will be prepared incorporating participants and collaborators details, data collection findings, reports and economic comparisons. The database including all reports will be made available in electronic formats allowing distribution to the European Commission and Parliament, national governments, academia, industry and the farming organisations.

Contacts

EC Scientific Officer

• Ciarán MANGAN / European Commission - DG Research Quality of Life Programme - Unit B1.2 / BELGIUM

Participant

• E B Holmes / UNITED KINGDOM