ChainCraft launches European PACE project to scale circular chemistry through industrial biorefinery integration.
ChainCraft is proud to launch the PACE project, a European initiative advancing the circular biobased economy. Supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), the project brings together industrial and innovation partners across the value chain to accelerate the industrial deployment of sustainable medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs).
As part of the project, PACE will demonstrate a first-of-its-kind flagship biorefinery by retrofitting part of Royal Avebe ’ s existing production facility. Using advanced fermentation and microbial chain elongation, the facility will convert potato juice side-streams into valuable biobased MCFAs for applications across the chemical industry.
The project represents an important step toward reducing Europe’s dependency on fossil and palm oil-based chemistry while strengthening local, circular value chains. By integrating circular solutions into existing industrial infrastructure, PACE demonstrates how industrial side-streams can be transformed into scalable and commercially relevant chemical building blocks.
PACE aims to produce up to 20,000 tonnes of purified MCFAs annually from approximately 300,000 tonnes of potato juice, while significantly improving resource efficiency through wastewater reuse and reduced transport emissions. Compared to conventional fossil and palm-based alternatives, the biobased MCFAs are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50–80%, enabling the chemical industry to decarbonize its value chain.
“PACE demonstrates how circular chemistry can become part of existing industrial systems at meaningful scale, ” says Niels van Stralen, founder and Chief Growth Officer of ChainCraft. “By upgrading infrastructure that already exists and using locally available side-streams, we show that sustainable chemistry does not have to start from scratch. This project is an important example of how Europe can build more resilient and circular chemical value chains. ”
The involvement of downstream partners such as Syensqo, Symrise AG and SC Johnson highlights the growing industrial interest in circular and biobased alternatives to conventional chemistry. Together with partners across the value chain, PACE aims to accelerate market adoption and commercial scale-up of biobased fatty acids, while strengthening Europe ’ s position as a pioneer in deforestation-free and import-independent chemical production.
Meer informatie: www.chaincraft.com
