PuriFire Energy has obtained funding from the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) for its WoodVALOR project, aiming to transform contaminated waste wood into higher-value products using advanced bio-processing technologies.
The project focuses on producing phenolic monomers via hydrothermal liquefaction and biochar via hydrothermal carbonization, with outputs intended for bio-acrylates in water-based paints and applications in bioremediation and carbon sequestration.
WoodVALOR employs a combination of decontamination, fractionation, and hydrothermal processing to convert waste wood into materials such as high-performance coatings, acrylic acid, fatty acids, and bio-based binders. PuriFire’s approach leverages the chemical potential of lignin to create phenolic-based biomaterials suitable for industrial use while simultaneously producing biochar as a tool for environmental remediation and carbon storage.
The CBE JU funding not only validates PuriFire’s technological approach but also provides non-dilutive capital to reduce R&D and scale-up risks. The WoodVALOR project forms part of an 11-partner, six-country consortium, potentially expanding PuriFire’s access to international industry networks, intellectual property development, and future commercial collaborations, particularly in decorative coatings and environmental remediation markets.
Success in scaling WoodVALOR’s processes could position PuriFire as a differentiated player in waste-to-value technologies and bio-based industrial inputs, aligning with tightening EU sustainability regulations and increasing demand for low-carbon solutions. However, commercial impact will depend on regulatory approvals, timeline to market, grant size, and the company’s ability to convert project outcomes into recurring revenue streams through licensing, product sales, or partnerships with coatings manufacturers and environmental service providers.
