AERTOs (Associated European Research and Technology Organisations) has started a 2-year research project to stimulate the development of the bio-based economy in Europe. It will also overcome technical hurdles in the innovation value chains.
The focus areas are to develop lignocellulosic biomass processes for modern biorefineries and the extraction of algae. The aim is in particular to create new, valuable lignin products and cheap technical sugars for the production of bio-based chemicals.
The AERTOs BBE – Bio-based Economy – project will strengthen the collaboration of European research organizations in the field of bioeconomy and improve the mobility of researchers. It combines different technologies available from the following partners: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Tecnalia, Fraunhofer, Sintef, CEA, TNO and SP. The programme is coordinated by Research Professor Kristiina Kruus from VTT.
The R&D work in the programme will be funded by the partners. The total budget is EUR 2.6 million.
"The project gives us a great possibility for close research collaboration in the very topical area of bioeconomy. We are very excited about it," says Kristiina Kruus from VTT.
Further information:
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Research Professor Kristiina Kruus, coordinator of the BBE project
kristiina.kruus@vtt.fi, tel. +358 505 202 471
Associated European Research and Technology Organisations AERTOS
The key actors of AERTOs are seven major research organizations (VTT, TNO, Fraunhofer, CEA, SP, Tecnalia and SINTEF) from six member states (Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Sweden and Spain) and one associated state (Norway). Originally AERTOs was created under the ERA-Net (2008-2012). Since all partners wanted to continue their successful cooperation, the project continues as AERTOs Community.
Further information on VTT:
Olli Ernvall
Senior Vice President, Communications
358 20 722 6747
olli.ernvall@vtt.fi
http://www.vtt.fi
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
VTT is a leading multitechnological applied research organization in Northern Europe. VTT creates new technology and science-based innovations in co-operation with domestic and foreign partners. Every third Finnish technology innovation contains VTT expertise. VTT's turnover is EUR 310 million and its personnel totals 2,900.