As a European project focused on developing new circular solutions from renewable resources, we continue to strengthen our network of alliances within the European R&D landscape. Earlier this month, we held a meeting with the team of the ZEBRA LIFE project, funded by the EU LIFE Programme, with the aim of exchanging experiences, identifying areas of alignment, and paving the way for future collaboration.
The meeting brought together Pilar Pérez Berganza and Irene Sasot Cebrián from Aitiip Technology Center, alongside Inés D. and Ibai Funcia Muguerza from the National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER), and Etienne Knipping from Inveniam Group. The session fostered a spirit of cooperation and reinforced our shared belief that sustainable innovation requires joint efforts across different sectors and disciplines.
The ZEBRA LIFE project: bio-aromatics as a substitute for fossil-based additives
Launched in November 2022, ZEBRA LIFE aims to develop an innovative thermo-oxidative depolymerization process to extract high value-added bio-aromatic compounds from lignin, a renewable resource derived from biomass. These compounds feature antioxidant properties that make them suitable replacements for fossil-based additives currently used in rubber, fuels, lubricants, the food industry, and cosmetics.
The project is designed to achieve two key objectives:
● Increase the share of renewable energy and advance decarbonisation in the pulp and paper industry.
● Reduce the environmental and health impacts caused by synthetic fossil-based additives in multiple industrial applications.
A space to share knowledge and grow together
During the meeting, both teams presented our respective research approaches and discussed potential cooperation opportunities, ranging from sustainable process development to the organization of joint dissemination and knowledge-transfer events.
Such initiatives highlight the crucial role of EU-funded projects as drivers of the transition towards a circular, low-carbon economy, while also building stronger networks between research centers, industry, and innovation stakeholders.
With activities like this, we continue to advance our mission of contributing to a more sustainable society, relying on collaboration between European projects to maximize impact and accelerate the shift towards environmentally responsible production models.
Stay tuned with the latest news on our blog!