CERNET

biogeniC gasEsous caRbon conversion into high added value chemicals and ingredients through a bio-based NETwork

Europe emits around 506.7 million tonnes of biogenic CO₂ annually, much of which remains unutilized. CERNET aims to tap into this potential by demonstrating more efficient and sustainable carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) through four Bio-Based Value Chains (BBVCs) that integrate CCU systems using CO₂ and CH₄ from winery, waste management, and bioethanol industries. Powered by renewable energy, these systems will produce six high-value chemicals and ingredients—L-alanine, protein hydrolysate, L-malic acid, sorbitol, PHA, and ectoine—validated in cleaning, cosmetics, packaging, and food sectors. The consortium brings together 21 partners from 10 EU countries, including regions with underdeveloped bio-based sectors, with 14 members of the Bio-based Industries Consortium contributing 26.2% of in-kind funding. CERNET supports the EU Industrial Strategy by reducing reliance on imports, establishing scalable CCU practices, and abating up to 8.3 tonnes of carbon in its demonstrators. Replication will be guided by 16 Key Exploitable Results and a Decision Support System aligned with the Emissions Trading System (ETS) to foster broader adoption across bio-based industries. 

In CERNET, DReVen will identify and comprise a list of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor and assess the systems’ performance from a technical, environmental and socio-economic perspective. 

DReVen will also lead the project’s WP6 on the sustainability assessment of CERNET value chains, integrating Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) for the developed solutions, assessing the environmental and socio-economic sustainability and carbon removal potential, taking into consideration the entire life cycle.