ReSolute project launched

ReSolute, which is described as a “flagship EU project focused on creating a new, sustainably-sourced, safer alternative to traditional, fossil-based solvents”, officially launched on 15 October. Engineering work on its planned 1,000 tonnes/year levoglucosenone (LGO) plant somewhere in Eastern Europe begins in November, with commissioning expected at the end of 2022.

The ReSolute, initiative is led by Australian biotechnology company Circa Group, with 11 partners from six countries. They include IAR, Merck KGaA, the University of York, Huntsman Specialty Chemicals, AgroParisTech and CPL.

LGO itself is a chemical building block, which can be used to produce Circa’s Cyrene bio-based solvent in a single step, using feedstock from non-food renewable biomass. Cyrene will compete with traditional solvents, such as NMP, DCM and DMF, which are under increasing regulatory pressure because of their toxicity.