BIOVALCOR

Biobased value-added products from an oil biorefinery with maximised carbon valorisation 

BIOVALCOR aims to demonstrate an integrated, zero-waste biorefinery concept for rapeseed meal, an abundant side stream in the EU oilseed sector. This includes: 

• Comprehensive valorisation of all major biomass components into valuable bioproducts  
• Laying the foundation for industrially scalable separation, conversion, and fermentation technologies 
• Recovery of high-quality functional proteins for food applications 
• Recovery of bioactive phenolic compounds for cosmetics and pharma 
• Catalytic depolymerisation of lignin into bio-aromatic building blocks for polymers 
• Fermentation of carbohydrate-rich residues into microbial oils for biofuels 

This way, BIOVALCOR will provide new pathways for upgrading agro side streams into high-value products, strengthening Flemish industrial leadership in circular biorefinery technologies. 

Rapeseed picture by Zaryab Haider via Pexels

ACTIVITIES of the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant

BBEPP is responsible for: 

• Development of a flexible and robust fermentation platform to convert various refinery residues and side streams into microbial oils 
• Modelling and techno-economic assessment of the biorefinery concept at industrial level 

PARTNERS

• Ghent University
• Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO)
• Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant

SUPPORTED by

This project fits within Moonshot, an industry-driven innovation programme of the Flemish Government that supports companies in reducing their CO2 emissions. It has received financial support of the Flemish Government and Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO), project nr. HBC.2025.0657.