We fractionate biomass using the AAF process into lignin-, hemicellulose- and cellulose-based ingredients

Bloom Biorenewables SA

Marly · RenensNew on Amplifa

2019Founded as a spin-off of EPFL

SA (public limited company, Switzerland)Legal form

Multi-tonne scaleProduction capacity

8 m³Reactor volume

80 wt %Utilization of the biomass fractions

About Bloom Biorenewables

Bloom Biorenewables SA is a chemistry company founded in 2019 as a spin-off of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), headquartered in Marly in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. The company has developed a one-pot process for Aldehyde-Assisted Fractionation (AAF) that breaks down lignocellulosic biomass such as sawmill residues, straw or hazelnut shells into its three main components lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose without degrading the native structures. From these fractions, intermediates such as PRIMAA White Lignin, dipropylxylose (DPX, 97% purity) and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC, 30 wt% solids content) are produced. These ingredients serve partners as a formulation platform for Personal Care, functional paper/thermal paper, and paints and coatings; Bloom does not sell end products itself. Production takes place on a multi-tonne scale with an 8 m³ reactor, with around 80 weight percent of the biomass being utilized. In addition, Bloom conducts research in several EU-funded projects, among other things on lignin-based plastic additives and Biogenic Heavy Fuel Oil as a marine fuel.

Site: Marly
Processes: Aldehyde-Assisted Fractionation (AAF) - biomass fractionation in a one-pot process, Biomass fractionation (AAF Aldehyde-Assisted Fractionation) into lignin, hemicellulose and, Provision of intermediates as a formulation platform (end products are not sold by the company
Materials: Lignin (PRIMAA White Lignin), Hemicellulose, Cellulose, Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC), Dipropylxylose (DPX), Lignocellulosic biomass (sawmill residues, straw, hazelnut shells), Aldehyde-Assisted Fractionation, PRIMAA White Lignin
Founded: 2019
Industries: Personal Care / Cosmetics, Functional paper / thermal paper, Paints & Coatings, Plastics / polymer composites, Shipping (bio-HFO, research projects), Paints & Coatings (paints and coatings)

01
Biomass (sawmill residues, straw, hazelnut shells)
02
One-pot fractionation via Aldehyde-Assisted Fractionation (AAF)
03
Processing of the fractions lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose
04
Upgrading to White Lignin, DPX, MFC
05
Delivery of intermediates to partners for final formulation

Processes & Materials

AAF

Aldehyde-Assisted Fractionation

One-pot process for the gentle fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass with near-theoretical yields and stabilized native structures.

PRIMAA

PRIMAA White Lignin

White lignin with UV enhancement, antioxidant effect and phenolic reactivity for Personal Care, thermal paper and coatings.

DPX

Dipropylxylose (DPX)

Renewable ingredient with 97% purity used as a solvent, emollient and plasticizer for coatings, Personal Care and thermal paper.

MFC

Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC)

Easily redispersible cellulose with 30 wt% solids content as a rheology modifier, barrier coating and reinforcing additive.

LHC

Lignocellulosic biomass

Sustainably sourced raw materials such as sawmill residues, straw and hazelnut shells without competition to food production.

Locations

Marly

Headquarters and production

Materials: Lignocellulosic biomass, lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose

8 m³ reactor

Renens

R&D laboratories (for large deliveries)

Products

**PRIMAA White Lignin**AAF fractionation · Personal Care, thermal paper, coatings

**Dipropylxylose (DPX) and MFC**AAF fractionation · coatings, functional paper, plastics

Inside the production

AAF technology for biomass fractionation

80% lower CO2 emissions compared to petroleum-based products

Industries

Personal Care / CosmeticsFunctional paper / thermal paperPaints & CoatingsPlastics / polymer compositesShipping (bio-HFO, research projects)Paints & Coatings (paints and coatings)Shipping (bio-HFO as a marine fuel option in research projects)

Processes & technical limits

Processes	Tolerance	Max. part	Weight	Lot size	Materials
Aldehyde-Assisted Fractionation (AAF) - biomass fractionation in a one-pot processEngineering	–	–	10 tons	–	Lignocellulosic biomass, Sawmill residues, Straw, Hazelnut shells

1 Anlagen & Maschinen

Machine	Manufacturer / model	Quantity	Working area	Year built	Site
Reactor	–	–	8 m³	–	Marly, Switzerland

Additional services

Biomass fractionation (AAF Aldehyde-Assisted Fractionation) into lignin, hemicellulose andProvision of intermediates as a formulation platform (end products are not sold by the company

History

2018
First awards, including MassChallenge Switzerland, ClimateLaunchpad Top10 Global Final and Hello Tomorrow TOP500
2019
Founding of Bloom Biorenewables SA as a spin-off of EPFL; further awards such as the WBCSD Disruptor Award and Venture Kick
2020
Start of an EU Horizon 2020 project (GA 883753, budget €4.7 million) on lignin derivatives for high-performance materials for the plastics industry; Swiss Technology Award
2023
Start of a Circular Bio-Economy Joint Undertaking project (consortium budget €8.2 million) on the lignin-based value chain; Innosuisse project with HEIA-FR
2024
Start of a HORIZON-CL4-2023 project (consortium budget €12 million) for the development of Biogenic Heavy Fuel Oil as a marine fuel