Microbial conversion of Salix-biomass to biofuels and high value chemicals

Last changed: 05 February 2024
A green salix plantation under a grey sky, photo.

Willows are rapidly growing, with a very good energy balance. They have an ability to resprout after multiple harvests which facilitate cultivation. Here, we will investigate using Salix to produce bioethanol, microbial biodiesel and biogas.

We will study, in addition to converting Salix biomass to established biofuels ethanol and biogas, also the production of the advanced biofuel biodiesel. The different methods of conversion will be coordinated to each other, e.g. residues from ethanol or biodiesel production will be converted to biogas. Microbial conversion of woody biomass requires enzymatic degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, which we will also investigate, in cooperation with one of our industrial partners.

Our aims for this project are:

  • Efficient enzymatic degradation of Salix-biomass, optimised for the most promising clones
  • Production of bioethanol, microbial biodiesel, and biogas, identifying optimal Salix-clones for these processes and thus correlating genetic markers of Salix with biofuel production

Contact

Mats Sandgren

Researcher at the Department of Molecular Sciences, SLU
Telephone: 018-673179, 070-2233826
E-mail: mats.sandgren@slu.se

Volkmar Passoth

Associate professor at the Department of Molecular Sciences, SLU
Telephone: 018-673380
E-mail: volkmar.passoth@slu.se

Anna Schnürer

Professor at the Department of Molecular Sciences, SLU
Telephone: 018-673288
E-mail: anna.schnurer@slu.se

Jonas Ohlsson

PhD student at the Department of Molecular Sciences, SLU
E-mail: jonas.ohlsson@slu.se