Using a 100% plant-based material to foster innovation
From biomass to a sustainable and safe bio-sourced solvent…
1.
Non-food biomass
The first step consists of recovering lignocellulosic biomass, the most abundant biomass resource available on earth. This biomass can come from multiple renewable feedstock such as corn cobs or sugar cane bagasse
2.
Furfural
This biomass is transformed by successive acid hydrolysis reactions of hemicellulose from the biomass into furfural, a platform molecule being a renewable building block for various industrial downstream products such as resins and polymers, solvents, lubricants, and fuel additives
3.
Methyloxolane
Following this intermediate step, the furfural building block is subjected to consecutive hydrogenation processes until the desired molecule is obtained, and further refined to a final purity of >99.9% methyloxolane
Benefits of our solution
Sustainability
Methyloxolane is produced from agricultural by-products (sugarcane bagasse), not requiring additional land cultivation
Its carbon footprint has shown a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions* compared to standard petroleum-based solvents
The plant-based solvent is completely biodegradable and recyclable and can be directly reusable without loss of function
Safety
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) officially reported in March 2022 that the biobased solvent behind the EcoXtract® technology is safe for producing food
EFSA’s positive opinion derives from a full application dossier including state-of-the-art scientific studies, performed under OECD’s latest standards, validating the innocuity of the product for food applications
The EFSA Panel of experts considered that the use of methyloxolane under the approved conditions of production and use is safe for consumers and the environment
Performance
Laboratory and industrial testing have shown that methyloxolane solvent can provide equal or even better lipids extraction performance than the current industry standard while providing defatted, undamaged and stable meals
In addition, methyloxolane can effectively solubilize aromatic compounds such as limonene or carvone, natural pigments (carotenoids and lutein) or any kind of lipophilic molecules
Also, its method of use being very similar to hexane, EcoXtract® can be used in existing commercial-scale hexane extraction units using the same extraction and solvent recovery equipment
Scale-up achievements
After validation of the solution at lab and pilot scales, our team successfully adapted the extraction unit of Enat International in Salamanca (Mexico) with a capacity of 10 tons per day for continuous rapeseed oil extraction
Our company successfully completed the conversion of the very first hexane-based unit using EcoXtract® technology at New Holland Extraction in the United Kingdom, in particular thanks to a grant from the European Innovation Council
Our certifications
USDA CERTIFIED BIOBASED PRODUCT
In 2019, EcoXtract® obtained the Certified Biobased Product label granted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) which highlights its 100% percentage of biobased content. Biobased products, through petroleum displacement, play an increasingly important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate global climate change. Also, utilizing renewable, biobased materials displaces the need for non-renewable petroleum-based chemicals
COSMOS-APPROVED
EcoXtract® technology is Cosmos-Approved, an international guarantee given to consumers allowing them to trust organic and natural cosmetic products. EcoXtract® was thus able to prove the compliance of its solvent with the various rules established by the certification :
- Promote the use of products from organic farming and respect the biodiversity
- Use natural resources responsibly and respect the environment
- Use clean processing and manufacturing processes that respect the human and environmental health
- Integrate and develop the concept of “green chemistry”
This certification can enable the development of new creative ingredients, such as oils and oleoresins, for premium organic products
Our awards
SOLAR IMPULSE EFFICIENT SOLUTION
EcoXtract® was attributed the “Solar Impulse Efficient Solution” Label following an assessment performed by external independent experts and based on verified standards. It is thereby joining the #1000solutions challenge, an initiative by the Solar Impulse Foundation to select solutions that meet high standards in financial viability and environmental sustainability
To receive the “Solar Impulse Efficient Solution” Label, EcoXtract® was thoroughly assessed by a pool of independent experts in collaboration with renowned institutions according to 5 criteria covering the three main topics of Feasibility, Environmental and Profitability
The aim of this initiative is to encourage the adoption of more ambitious environmental targets and fast-track the implementation of these solutions on a large scale
PIERRE POTIER PRIZE
EcoXtract® won 2021 Pierre Potier award for its innovative and sustainable bio-based solution which impoves consumer safety. Awarded by a panel of key figures in research, industry and ministries, this prize has become an important benchmark for business support organizations.
“EcoXtract® is immensely honoured to have received the Pierre Potier award, one of the highest industry distinctions for chemistry professionals and academia” said Laurence Jacques, the Managing Director
“We thank the experts panel for its recognition of our bio-based solution to substitute hexane and their support to a safer and petroleum free food chain. We are dedicated to improving the global food safety and supply and fight against food waste. Our commitment has become the ethic of EcoXtract® which lies into a sustainable-oriented mindset that we nurture for ourselves and consumers“
RESPONSIBLE CARE AWARD
EcoXtract® received the CSR award-during the Responsible Care award ceremony held by France Chimie in Paris, France
The technology definitely convinced the jury with its undeniable sustainable dimension: an entirely bio-based extraction solvent from renewable resources which therefore does not require any exploitation of arable land or participation to deforestation, a safe alternative to petro-based extraction solutions
Our public fundings
HORIZON 2020
Delivering a new, efficient and biobased plant oil and protein extraction system, in short EcoXtract
EcoXtract® technology receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. The 2.8 million EUR grant is awarded by the European Innovation Council to support and develop breakthrough technologies and breakthrough innovations to create new markets, particularly, in the protein and vegetable oil sectors
This great achievement is the result of a proposal submitted by a consortium of 5 partners. All are private-for-profit entities established within the European Union. Along with Pennakem Europa (France), an affiliate of Minafin Group, the consortium comprises Vivaorganic GmbH (Cloppenburg, Germany), De Wit Speciality Oils B.V. (De Waal, The Netherlands), New Holland Extraction Ltd (New Holland, United Kingdom) and Donal Murphy-Bokern (Lohne, Germany)
“The grant enables us to combine the technologies, skills and ambitions of five partners in four European countries. This allows us to accelerate our technical development and access pioneering markets at the same time to develop a more reliable, healthier and more eco-conscious oil extraction sector for the food and feed industry” says Laurence Jacques, the Managing Director
ADEME FUNDING
In collaboration with INRAE, the Institut Carnot France Futur Élevage and the University of Avignon, the EcoXtract® Protéines project was selected to receive total financial aid of €4.8 million under the PIA program operated by ADEME, the French government's ecological transition agency
The EcoXtract® Protéines project aims to offer the animal feed market a 100% biosourced and safe extraction solution for oils, vegetable proteins and natural ingredients. This technology will offer an alternative to the current extraction technique that uses hexane