BIOREF-INTEG is performed by seven separate but  strongly interrelated Work Packages, as presented in the diagram below:

Work Package 1
Identification and mapping of existing industrial fuel producing complexes in Europe

The goal of Work Package 1 is to identify and map existing industrial fuel producing complexes in Europe that allow for the integration of biorefinery processes. The sectors dealt with are: sugar & starch (bioethanol), biodiesel, pulp & paper, conventional oil refineries, power production, the food industry, and the agrosector.

For each sector at least one reference case will be identified as a realistic representative of the sector. The reference case will include a block diagram with overall mass and energy balances. These reference cases will be analysed in Work Package 4 for upgrading to high efficiency, advanced biorefinery schemes coproducing added-value products and fuels.

Work Package 2
Identification and market analysis of the most promising added-value products to be co-produced with biofuels

This work package will identify products and materials and/or chemicals that could be coproduced with biofuels to increase the overall financial
added-value of the raw biomass used, as well as decrease its overall environmental impact.

The technical potential of materials and chemicals will be identified from literature and patent analysis. Market analysis will be undertaken to identify the market prices and volumes of the materials and chemicals used. This will result in the selection of the most interesting added-value coproducts by market sector and by reference to industrial case studies.

Work Package 3
Biorefinery-based knowledge import from outside the EC
 
Work Package 3 is concerned with “knowledge import” for advanced biorefineries outside of the EU that could be integrated into existing industrial complexes.

Analysis of conference proceedings, seminars and workshops on biorefineries will be conducted to gather information from the U.S.A, Canada, South America, and Japan.

A workshop will be organised where eminent speakers from outside of the EU will be invited to share their views on the topic of biorefineries. Results from this will be used in Work Package 4 for the development of the sector specific advanced biorefinery concepts to be integrated into existing industrial complexes; with the main focus being on fuel production.

Work Package 4
Technical, economic and ecological assessment of advanced biorefinery concepts integrated into existing industrial complexes

The main objective of Work Package 4 is to identify opportunities in a variety of market sectors to produce conventional products with increased market competitiveness by co-producing added-value bioproducts.

The market sectors to be analysed are as follows: Bioethanol, Biodiesel, Pulp/ paper, Conventional oil refinery, Power production, Food industry and Agro.

The project will undertake a number of tasks to include: modelling and simulation, as well as performing integral technical and environmental system assessments.

In addition to this, Work Package 4 will perform financial-economic feasibility studies, provide an overview of innovative biorefinery concepts and prioritise the role of biorefineries.

Work Package 5
Technology deployment

The objective of Work Package 5 is to evaluate the maturity of business models for the most promising integrated biorefinery processes.

Tasks associated with this include: the evaluation of the commercial and technical feasibility and a SWOT analysis of different biorefinery schemes; leading to conclusions on the most opportune schemes. Work Package 5 is scheduled for the second year of BIOREF-INTEG and will depend on input coming from other work packages.

A “portfolio evaluation model” developed by VFT will also be used in Work Package 5. This model measures the potential reward and risk of a specific project, taking the commercial and technical feasibility into account.

During the first year of the project, the evaluation model will be tailored to the needs of BIOREF-INTEG.

Work Package 6
Knowledge Dissemination

Work Package 6 will coordinate the general promotion of project results to the European industrial and R&D community by focusing on communications between the consortium and stakeholders. It will disseminate policy options to stakeholders and policy makers, as well as general promotion, training and the creation of an advisory board.

Work Package 6 will coordinate work on the BIOREF-INTEG website, newsletters, stakeholder workshops, training courses, publications and general dissemination.

Work Package 7
Project Management

The main objectives of project management are:

• Efficient coordination of the member’s contributions and project activities,
• To ensure that all project outputs and member contributions are in line with the proposed objectives by staying in permanent contact with the
  European Commission,
• Coordination of dissemination activities and implementation plans.