HORIZON-JU-CBE-2024-RIA-03: Sustainable, bio-based alternatives for crop protection

• Type of project: Research and innovation (RIA)
• TRL: 4-5 at the end of the project

ABOUT US

Since early 2000s Łukasiewicz - ICSO "Blachownia" has been working on various technologies to replace fossilbased
chemicals with bio-based or waste-based alternatives. The feedstocks that we are working on include plant
oils, wood oil, starch, bio-based alcohols, lignin, cellulose, and organic acids. Our offer can be divided into
the following segments: fuels, specialty chemicals, polymers, solvents, cosmetic additives and waxes.
Łukasiewicz - ICSO "Blachownia" offers the cooperation in area of:

• development of technology for the hydroprocessing of bio-based feedstocks into valuable fuel additives,
• long-term catalytic tests,
• development of dedicated catalyst,
• process upscaling,
• design and construction of tailor-made pilot plant,
• process and fluid analysis,
• optimisation of chemical and physical processes,
• fluid and gas separation,
• analytical methods and online process control,
• process digitalization.

OUR IDEA

The project's objective is to establish a circular, bio-based production pathway centered around flax cultivation.
This encompasses refining crop cultivation and protection techniques, with a primary emphasis on processing
flax biomass, linseed oil, flax fibers, and associated by-products through chain extension, yielding high-value
medical and health-enhancing products.
The project focuses on establishing a sustainable flax cultivation system using innovative farming practices,
minimizing the use of fertilizers and agrochemicals, and optimizing water resources. Flax is a natural plant
for the EU region, exhibiting heightened resistance to parasites. Engaging farmers in sustainable flax agriculture
will reduce environmental impact, conserve biodiversity, and enhance soil quality.
One of the innovative outcomes identified by Łukasiewicz-ICSO “Blachownia” is the use of linseed oil and/or its
products for transesterification and chemical treatment to obtain non-ionic surfactants.
Direct oxyethylation of esters bonds in raw materials allows for the transformation of natural flax oil, enabling
the use of omega-rich fatty acids in water-based drinks and drugs.
Another possibility is the use of linseed oil-based surfactants in recipes for personal care products.