A key innovation of the proposed technology is the upgrading of the Ablative Fast Pyrolysis (AFP) bio-oil via a single mild-hydroprocessing (mild-HDT) step employing a tailored-made catalyst. The targeted stabilization and partial upgrading of AFP bio-oil achieved via the proposed mild-HDT is expected to produce bio-based intermediate (BioMates) that would be readily integrated in existing refinery conversion unit(s) as renewable co-feeds. This approach has several advantages as compared with the current state-of-the-art multiple hydroprocessing steps, and primarily the significant reduction of the associated H2 consumption, which is estimated to render at least 70% decrease of the conversion cost over the conventional approach for upgrading pyrolysis bio-oils.

The tailor made catalyst development and preliminary testing will be conducted by Ranido and UCTP, while the process optimization and validation will be performed at CERTH.