AFTER-BIOCHEM Project Concludes, Marking a Milestone in Sustainable Industrial Green Chemistry
The European flagship initiative, AFTER-BIOCHEM, officially concluded on April 30, 2025, after five impactful years of advancing green chemistry and circular bioeconomy in Europe. Backed by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme and the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU), the project successfully demonstrated a pioneering industrial biorefinery model that transforms agricultural residues and organic waste into high-value bio-based chemical building blocks.
Led by French biotech innovator AFYREN, the project involved 12 partners and mobilized a €33 million budget, including €20 million in EU funding. The state-of-the-art biorefinery constructed in Carling Saint-Avold, France, is now fully operational, producing 16,000 tons of sustainable bio-based acids annually. This achievement has created nearly 80 direct industrial jobs and an estimated 250 indirect jobs in the region.
The project’s technology, based on AFYREN’s anaerobic biomimetic fermentation process (AFYNERIE®), converts sugar beet byproducts and biowaste into eco-friendly carboxylic acids and esters. These green alternatives are now positioned to replace fossil-based chemicals across various industries including food, feed, fragrances, lubricants, life sciences, and materials.
Market acceptance has been strong, with AFYREN securing long-term supply contracts worth over €165 million. Industrial giants such as CELANESE, KEMIN, FIABILA, and FIRMENICH contributed valuable market insights that shaped the project’s commercial success.
Beyond production, AFTER-BIOCHEM also prioritized environmental excellence by achieving zero-waste targets through byproduct valorization and circular economy models. Life Cycle Assessments led by SPHERA confirmed a fivefold reduction in environmental impact compared to traditional chemical processes.
Looking ahead, AFYREN plans to scale production, meet rising market demand, and replicate this sustainable industrial model globally through strategic partnerships. The success of AFTER-BIOCHEM underscores the potential of bio-based solutions in building a greener, more resilient industrial future.
