SCOBIOSE | Turning agricultural side streams into bacterial cellulose

Developing new bio-based materials from sugar-rich side streams

Large amounts of sugar-rich side streams from the agricultural and food industries remain underused in Flanders and the Netherlands. At the same time, demand for renewable raw materials is growing. To address both challenges, SCOBIOSE (Sustainable Cellulose Output by Bacteria utilising Organic Side-streams and Excess) uses fermentation to convert these side streams into bacterial cellulose. The project explores how this biomaterial can be produced locally and used in agriculture and industrial applications, particularly coatings and composites. 
 

Target group

SCOBIOSE targets companies and organisations looking to make better use of agricultural side streams or develop new bio-based materials.

The project is particularly relevant for:

• Farmers, grower associations and agricultural cooperatives handling sugar-rich side streams
• SMEs and companies in the bio-based industry
• Textile and manufacturing companies working with coatings and composites
• Agricultural industry associations and advisory organisations
• Research and knowledge institutions
• Policymakers and public authorities working on the bioeconomy and circular economy 

Context

Rejected fruit, surplus vegetables and other sugar-rich side streams are often processed into low-value products. As a result, opportunities for local material production remain untapped.  

Bacterial cellulose is a biomaterial produced by microorganisms. Unlike plant-based cellulose, it contains no lignin or hemicellulose. Its high purity, mechanical strength and water retention capacity make it suitable for a range of industrial applications.

However, producing bacterial cellulose from agricultural side streams presents several challenges. Raw material composition varies, and fermentation processes still need to be adapted to larger production volumes. Further research is also needed into the material's processing characteristics and performance.

Objectives & results

SCOBIOSE aims to develop a cross-border value chain that transforms sugar-rich agricultural side streams into a raw material for bacterial cellulose production.

The project focuses on five objectives:

• Develop fermentation processes for different sugar-rich side streams
• Scale up production from laboratory experiments to a pilot installation
• Investigate material properties and identify suitable processing methods
• Develop and test new applications in agriculture and industry
• Explore economic opportunities for farmers and manufacturing companies

Key expected results

• A tested fermentation process for bacterial cellulose production
• A pilot installation tested in agricultural settings
• Insights into the properties and processing possibilities of bacterial cellulose
• Demonstrators for agricultural applications, coatings and composites
• Application guidelines for companies interested in using bacterial cellulose
• A market analysis identifying opportunities for new applications and value chains 
   

Approach

SCOBIOSE brings together expertise in fermentation, agriculture and materials technology. The partners investigate both bacterial cellulose production and its transformation into new products.

1. Developing fermentation processes
   The partners test different sugar-rich side streams as feedstocks for cellulose-producing bacteria. Laboratory experiments examine how processing conditions affect material production and quality.
2. Testing production at pilot scale
   Laboratory findings are transferred to a pilot installation. The partners test fermentation outside the laboratory, including at agricultural sites, to assess how the technology performs in a production environment.
3. Characterising material properties
   The bacterial cellulose is analysed for properties such as strength, purity and water absorption. These tests help identify suitable processing techniques and potential applications.
4. Validating new applications
   The partners develop and test applications in agriculture, coatings and composites. They investigate how bacterial cellulose can be processed and evaluate its performance in different products.  
    

Funding

• Funding agency: Interreg Vlaanderen - Nederland
• Contract number: Int6B103
• Total budget: €1,920,503.69