CONTACT INFORMATION Contact Name: Adrian Black E-mail: adrian@sonichem.com Website: www.sonichem.com Funding required: £2,500,000 Already raised: £1,200,000
Such a shift could revolutionise the chemical industry by meeting the growing demand for green chemicals and help to foster a sustainable, circular economy. THE SOLUTION Sonichem offers a unique solution to the quest for sustainable chemicals. Central to our innovation is an ultrasonic biorefinery process that transforms forestry by-product; sawdust into valuable bio-based chemicals, including lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose sugars. Our process’s innovative application of ultrasonics allows us to break down woody biomass efficiently, without resorting to high temperatures, pressures, or corrosive chemicals. Further distinguishing Sonichem’s innovative approach is the production of high-quality, pure, low molecular weight lignin, an aromatic chemical that is the only viable bio-based alternative to petrochemicals including phenol, which are extensively utilised in resins and coatings for materials manufacturing. Unlike traditionally extracted lignin that often carries sulphur contamination and exhibits high molecular weight, making it less suitable for industrial use, Sonichem’s lignin is versatile and adaptable for a myriad of applications. By offering a scalable, environmentally friendly solution, Sonichem not only presents an urgent answer to the demand for sustainable petrochemical substitutes but also amplifies the economic value of biomass waste. For every £1 of sawdust processed, Sonichem’s technology can generate £8 worth of bio-based chemicals, multiplying economic returns for foresters and farmers by eight. This process not only promotes sustainable biomass management but also positions Sonichem as a pioneer in the green chemistry movement. This method is perfectly aligned with the industry’s shift towards sustainability, providing an option that greatly reduces reliance on fossil fuels, minimises CO² and particulate emissions, and could shift the industry closer to a green circular economy.
ELEVATOR PITCH Sonichem transforms low-value woody biomass into high-value bio-based chemicals with its proprietary ultrasonic biorefinery process. This pioneering technology positions Sonichem at the forefront of sustainable chemistry, offering an energy-efficient, clean alternative to traditional biorefinery processes. By producing eco- friendly, bio-based chemicals for a wide array of applications, Sonichem taps into the rapidly growing market for sustainable chemicals. With a focus on innovation and meeting market demand, Sonichem is poised to capitalise on the significant commercial opportunity presented by bio-based products, propelling the chemical industry towards a more sustainable future. THE PROBLEM The bio-based chemicals market, forecasted to continue to grow at an annual rate of 9%, reflects a pressing need for sustainable alternatives to petrochemicals, which are ubiquitous in modern life, from plastics to pharmaceuticals. However, the transition from fossil-based resources is hampered by substantial challenges. Most available bio-based solutions depend on food-grade crops, raising concerns over future global food security and sustainability. Meanwhile, woody biomass an underused but abundant resource, from forestry or agricultural by-products, is often underutilised or burnt contributing significantly to CO 2 emissions. In 2020 alone, 1.4 billion tonnes of forestry co- products were burned, highlighting a glaring inefficiency in renewable resource utilisation. Addressing this, there’s an urgent demand for innovative technologies that can convert tough low-value forestry and agricultural by-products into valuable bio-based chemicals.
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