Indoor shot of SWEETWOODS biorefinery in Estonia - © Rene Riisalu
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The inauguration of the CBE JU-funded SWEETWOODS biorefinery in Imavere, Estonia, marks a significant stride in Europe’s journey towards sustainable innovation. By turning hardwood waste into high-value bio-based chemicals and materials, this new industrial facility stands as a symbol of the European Green Deal in action: public-private collaboration boosting European competitiveness via sustainable industrial development.
A testament of Europe’s bio-based sector might
Speaking at the biorefinery's inauguration, CBE JU Executive Director Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore praised the project as a ‘great example of the innovative bio-based industry we are already deploying in Europe: circular, sustainable, and competitive.’
‘The SWEETWOODS plant is more than a biorefinery; it’s a catalyst for industry and innovation, creating jobs and propelling the regional economy. It stands as a testament to the vision of the European Commission, the Bio-based Industries Consortium, and the vibrant community driving the bio-based sector,’ added Mr. Giacomuzzi-Moore.
The SWEETWOODS plant is more than a biorefinery; it’s a catalyst for industry and innovation, creating jobs and propelling the regional economy.
Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore, CBE JU Executive Director
The odyssey of Fibenol’s biorefinery
The journey to this point has been nothing short of an odyssey, as described by Raul Kirjanen, Fibenol CEO: ‘Fibenol, as the coordinator and lead partner of the SWEETWOODS project, has experienced many challenges, ranging from global pandemic to geopolitical tensions, yet the vision for a facility that generates no waste remained unwavering.'
This industrial plant is a great example of public and private collaboration.
Raul Krijanen, Fibenol CEO
Mr. Kirjanen emphasised that the plant not only replaces fossil materials but also introduces new bio-based materials to the market, embodying the very essence of innovation. Lastly, Fibenol’s CEO underlined that ‘this industrial plant is a great example of public and private collaboration.’
CBE JU funding as the catalyst for industrial development
The spirit of collaboration and long-term commitment was further emphasised by Peep Pitk, Chief Development Officer at Fibenol, who highlighted the importance of ownership, trust, and patience. ‘The people of the team were essential to the success,’ he remarked, acknowledging the collective effort that brought this dream to fruition, especially the 50 employees of Fibenol.
Participating in CBE JU-funded projects made us believe again in public funding.
Peep Pitk, Chief Development Officer at Fibenol
Peep Pitk underlined how participating in the CBE JU-funded SWEETWOODS projects was a cornerstone for their success: ‘Participating in CBE JU-funded projects made us believe again in public funding. The partnership was always supportive and helpful to overcome all challenges.’
Symbolic value of SWEETWOODS
Kristin Schreiber, Director at the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs of the European Commission, recognised the Estonian biorefinery as a pivotal example of scaling up innovative bio-based technologies. ‘SWEETWOODS is a symbolic project. Let’s continue working together to ensure that more projects like this one continue to make a difference around Europe,’ Ms Schreiber noted.
This plant in Imavere is a great example of keeping industrial investment in Europe.
Dirk Carrez, Executive Director of the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC)
Dirk Carrez, Executive Director of the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), celebrated Fibenol’s achievements, stating, ‘Fibenol is a champion in BIC’s history.’ BIC’s Executive Director remarked that ‘this plant in Imavere is a great example of keeping industrial investment in Europe by bringing together partners to upscale bio-based technologies.’
Local initiatives, global change
The local impact of such a global vision was not lost on Toomas Tammik, Mayor of Järva Municipality, who proudly said, ‘this biorefinery is a demonstration that you can do big things in small places.’ His statement was a testament to the transformative power of CBE JU funding in an 8,500-inhabitant municipality like Järva.
This biorefinery is a demonstration that you can do big things in small places.
Tomasz Calikowski, Policy Officer at Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission
The inauguration speeches also included contributions from Tomasz Calikowski, Policy Officer at Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission, Maris Bumanis, Executive Board Member of Latvijas Finieris, Wolfgang Ranfft, Vice President of Bio-Based Products at De Smet Engineers & Contractors, and Raivis Bremšmits, Deputy State Secretary on Economic Issues at the Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Latvia.
About the SWEETWOODS biorefinery
The CBE JU-funded SWEETWOODS project turns hardwood residues from wood processing and forestry into lignin and cellulosic sugars for use in bio-based products such as insulation materials, soap and personal care products, sustainable packaging, compostable and biodegradable plastics, and carbon-neutral asphalt.
SWEETWOODS uses Sunburst™ technology to extract lignin and sugars, a highly efficient fractionation technology that can convert over 90% of the woody biomass into high-value materials. After wood chips are fed into the machine, Sunburst technology turns them into a slurry in just 20 seconds by applying mechanical force, pressure, and heat. Sugars and lignin in the slurry are then separated using enzymes to obtain materials with a high level of purity.
Sunburst™ technology also makes it possible to produce new materials with a small ecological footprint, using minimal amounts of water and chemicals. A system has been set up at the plant to allow most of the process water to be treated and reused, integrating a circular production approach.
Replicating the model in Latvia
On 15 March, the SWEETWOODS lead partner Fibenol, agreed with the Latvian government on a €700 million investment to build a commercial-scale biorefinery in Latvia based on the Sunburst™ technology, replicating the SWEETWOODS’ model at a bigger scale.
