Reducing GHG emissions, in line with the Paris Agreement, is particularly challenging regarding producing “green” liquid fuels with a high energy density, especially for the aviation sector. The BIOCTANE project aims to develop and optimize an innovative process for converting organic waste materials (e.g., food-waste, organic material from the food processing industry) into carbon-neutral market-ready drop-in jet fuels. A proof of concept on the synergetic coupling of biotechnological and thermocatalytic processing routes will be developed by employing a disruptive and interdisciplinary strategy. The project targets the efficient valorization of organic wastes into renewable jet fuel and maximizing the recovery of chemical energy, nutrients, and carbon use. In order to achieve this, the complex organic waste will be converted into platform molecules (acetoin and 2,3-butanediol).

Subsequently, a novel one-pot chemical process will be developed by combining different catalytic steps through which the platform molecules are converted to jet-fuel range hydrocarbons. Based on an extensive process flow modeling, the process efficiency and the techno-economic requirements for full market integration and the environmental impact will be assessed. Furthermore, to achieve the best environmental performance, efficient recovery of nutrients for reuse will be aimed throughout the process development. Therefore, BIOCTANE will establish a novel pathway involving hybrid processes and multifunctional catalysts, contributing to implementing sustainable, secure, and competitive renewable energy technologies in Europe, boosting the use of advanced biofuels, and with a direct impact on strategic areas like aviation transport.