From oil substrate to long-chain dicarboxylic acids / Iris Cornet

From Waste Oil to long-chain DiCarboxylic Acids (WODCA)

We are developing a process which uses yeast to convert used cooking oil into long-chain dicarboxylic acids, which are very flexible chemical building blocks that can be used to make a wide range of end products, from plastics and lubricants to cosmetics or pharmaceuticals.

This project will help to unlock the potential of an abundant waste stream of frying oil for the production of valuable chemicals while, at the same time, displacing fossil feedstocks and strongly improving the sustainable character of this industry.

Project partners: UGhent, VITO

Valorisation of LIPid waste by Thermophilic Yeasts for the production of long chain Dicarboxylic Acids (LIPTYDA)

While the amount of fat and oil released by common households is very limited, the case is different for restaurants and industrial factories. The amount of fat and oil released by these companies can cause serious damage to sewage systems. To prevent this, the fat and oil is collected in a grease trap. In our research, we prove that Grease Trap Waste (GTW) can be a valuable resource by converting it to long-chain dicarboxylic acids by using a dedicated yeast strain.

Partners: UGhent, VITO

High-value products from FLAXseed through Innovative biocatalytic Technologies (FLAXIT)

Flaxseed is considered a waste stream from the Belgian flax industry. A diversity of biomolecules, i.e. oil, carbohydrates and proteins, will be valorised to

esters for personal care and cosmetic applications
long-chain dicarboxylic acids for polymers and cosmetic applications from oil and carbohydrates
proteins/peptides and dietary fibers for techno-functional applicatios in food

Partners: VITO, ILVO, KdG