News

30-01-2024

BIO-CAPPP SME innovation vouchers to support your bio-based innovations

If you are looking for bio-aromatic samples (sugar- or lignin-derived) and/or support in application development, ranging from feasibility studies to prototype/pilot scale, the BIO-CAPPP project offers SME innovation vouchers to support your innovations.

The BIO-CAPPP Voucher Scheme

BIO-CAPPP project partners VITO, Centexbel and TNO can award the following vouchers:

1. Voucher 1 worth €10 000 to estimate the feasibility of raw materials/applications for SMEs.
2. Voucher 2 worth €20 000 to estimate the feasibility and proof of concept of raw materials/applications for the SME.
3. Voucher 3 worth €50 000 to conduct effective large-scale testing for initial prototype applications.

The voucher process starts with an exploratory conversation in which the details of the voucher system as well as the scope of the project are discussed. SMEs based in the Interreg VL-NL program area (see image below) that are willing to discuss the opportunities of this voucher scheme, can express their interest by sending an e-mail to vouchersbiocappp@vito.be.

What VITO can offer in the context of the BIO-CAPPP innovation vouchers

• Characterisation and estimation of the potential for upgrading feedstock (biomass, waste streams) to lignin-derived applications.
• Application development including lignin-based bio-aromatics - proof of concept.

What Centexbel can offer in the context of the BIO-CAPPP innovation vouchers

• Application development of bio-based coatings functionalised via functional bio-additives, such as plasticisers, flame retardants, UV stabilisers or dyes. 
• Application development of bio-functionalised yarns or plastic articles.

BIO-CAPPP: Biorizon Center for Applications & Products with Premium Properties

The BIO-CAPPP project will develop renewable aromatics and apply them in actual products, together with companies, experts and students. Together, the project partners will enable commercial production of bio-aromatics and stimulate the market for sustainable products with premium properties.

In the Biorizon Application Center, companies can collaborate with knowledge workers and students on favorable terms (innovation vouchers specifically for SMEs) to apply bio-aromatics in products for the construction and textile sector, among others. The bio-aromatics not only make these products more sustainable, but also more functional with premium properties.

In addition, the partners anchor the developed knowledge and skills in educational programs so that the workers of the future can put the sustainable innovations into practice at companies.

Project partners

In the BIO-CAPPP project, partners from Flanders and the Netherlands are working intensively together.

Project leader VITO from Flanders and TNO from the Netherlands have been collaborating ever since 2013 on the technological development of bio-aromatics from sugars, lignin and unrefined waste streams under the flag of Shared Research Center Biorizon. The Flemish CENTEXBEL and Avans University of Applies Sciences / MNEXT from the Netherlands will work with VITO to develop innovative applications based on the lignin- and sugar-based building blocks, with a specific focus on the construction and textile sectors. Kamp C from Flanders will inform, inspire and support end users, the building sector and local authorities in the use of the sustainable innovations. The Green Chemistry Campus will be the project's central meeting place where entrepreneurs, governments and knowledge institutions will work together to scale up the bio-based and circular innovations and where citizens can experience the transition in the experience center. 

Contact

For more information about the BIO-CAPPP project and the possibilities of the Biorizon Application Center to test bio-aromatics in actual products, please contact BIO-CAPPP project manager Kelly Servaes from VITO at kelly.servaes@vito.be or +32 (0)4 93 31 87 46. For more information about the SME Innovation Vouchers please contact us at: vouchersbiocappp@vito.be.

Interreg Flanders-Netherlands

The BIO-CAPPP project has a total budget of €4.3 million and is co-funded by Interreg Flanders-Netherlands, the cross-border cooperation program with financial support from the European Regional Development Fund, VLAIO, the provinces of Antwerp, East-Flanders and North Brabant and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.