Our Research Areas
Pillars of Innovation
W2W transforms waste management with cross-sector solutions that span from sensing to sorting and from materials to products.
We reduce waste and boost the use of secondary raw materials using digital technology, fostering circular, low-emission value chains through four key innovation pillars.
Pillar 1: Advanced Separation and Sorting
Using advanced optical and spectroscopic techniques, the project will identify optimal particle sizes for processing wood and glass from construction and demolition waste (CDW), correlating shredding size with sorting effectiveness and employing an innovative handheld NIR (near infra-red) device for precise analysis of product parameters. The redesigned sorting process will focus on cascade valorisation, implementing a multi-robot system to achieve over 95% accuracy in separating wood and glass from mixed CDW. Additionally, the project aims to optimise waste reduction and resource recovery in CDW through a Human-Robot Collaboration process, leveraging human dexterity and robotic endurance, guided by vision input and enhanced by Mixed Reality (MR) technology for improved task awareness, performance, and safety.
Pillar 2: Novel Technologies for Upcycling
(A) Cascade Refinement Technologies for Upcycling and Production of Bio-composites
Efficient wood resource utilisation requires a multi-dimensional valorisation approach, addressing challenges in fiber production due to shorter fiber lengths and debris retention. To tackle this, the project will develop and optimise fractionation processes to produce lignin and cellulose fibers from wood waste. Chemical and mechanical treatments will isolate unmodified CNF in water solution and modified CNF and lignin in solid form for various applications.
Additionally, the W2W project will innovate by combining poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with lignocellulose-based materials from wood waste, creating sustainable biocomposites. By optimising compounding conditions and testing various PLA types, a toolbox will be developed for selecting materials for specific applications. Compatibility between W2W wood fractions and PLA will be assessed to enhance biocomposite performance.
(B) Chemical and Bioremediation Technologies for Wood Waste Upcycling
We aim to enhance wood waste upcycling through three key approaches:
1. Steam Explosion for Resin Removal: Recent advancements in wood recycling technologies have shown promise in addressing residual glue on wood fibers. Steam explosion (SE) for UF resin removal has emerged as an efficient solution, achieving effective resin removal and fiber fragmentation with minimal water consumption. This efficient process achieves up to 83% resin removal and yields about 75% fibers from wood waste. The goal is to upscale from TRL4 to TRL6, targeting fiber yields over 80%.
2. Mycoremediation for Detoxification: Utilising the Brown-Rot Fungus Postia placenta, we will treat wood waste via mycoremediation to remove hazardous substances through solid-state and submerged fermentation. This will optimise detoxification and explore applications in material manufacturing or biocontrol activity.
3. Polyol Production via Organic Catalyst Liquefaction: Developing a method using cationic ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) with acid catalysts,
we aim to produce bio-polyols sustainably. This process will be upscaled from TRL4 to TRL6, offering a safer and cost-effective solution for polyol production.
(C) Energy, Gas & Ashes Valorisation Technologies for Contaminated Wood Waste
Hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) shows promise for waste treatment, especially for sewage sludge, but its application to wood-containing waste remains largely unexplored commercially. The W2W project aims to validate HTC for mixed waste, including contaminated wood and liquid waste, from
lab scale (TRL4) to TRL6 using an innovative "HTC 2.0" approach. Assisted by microwaves, this method offers advantages like lower reaction temperatures, closed autoclave systems for safety, and novel energy-efficient pathways, representing a significant step towards efficient waste management and renewable energy strategies.
Additionally, the project focuses on biotech-driven upcycling of syngas into dodecanol for low-impact detergent applications. Dodecanol, typically derived from palm kernel oil or fossil-based ethylene, poses environmental challenges. Leveraging KIV's biotech expertise, we target increased dodecanol productivity to 1.5-2g/lh and scale-up from TRL5 to TRL6, ensuring technical efficacy and safety standards.
Pillar 3: Digital Tools for Improving Circular Flows of Secondary Materials
The W2W project integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Cost Assessment (LCCA), and Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) into a comprehensive Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA), combining environmental, economic, and social dimensions for informed decision-making in policy and industry. Machine Learning enhances accuracy by predicting missing data and forecasting impact parameters. For material volume estimation, W2W employs computer vision methods, using multisource data to create precise 3D models and semantic segmentation for accurate waste identification. Additionally, W2W addresses the complexities of cascade utilisation by developing a supply chain optimisation digital tool. This tool, using advanced algorithms, will simulate scenarios to optimise the flow of secondary materials, facilitating efficient and cost-effective recycling processes.
Pillar 4: Framework for CDW Cascade Valorisation
The cascading concept aims to increase the efficiency of biomass use. For this purpose, three cascading approaches will be used through sequential reuse of biomass at the end-of-life, maximising value over the entire life cycle, and maximising value of original biomass through co-production. However, current frameworks and legislation for valorising C&D wood waste are lacking, and wood is often sent to landfills due to the complexity and cost of recycling. To address this, wood waste will be classified by chemical additives, contamination levels, and origin. A comprehensive framework will include mechanical recycling, biorefinement, bioremediation, and energy recovery processes, promoting efficient and sustainable wood waste management.