Proposals under this topic should:

• Demonstrate the efficient, cost-competitive and sustainable production of aromatic bio-based chemicals from lignin, including phenols, alkylphenols, BTX (Benzene, toluene and xylenes) and/or other aromatics.
• Address the upstream processing of lignocellulosic biomass and the downstream processing of lignin to obtain targeted aromatics, demonstrating high yield and selectivity for the targeted aromatics. Under this context, consider the integration of advanced analytical characterisation capabilities of lignin and lignin-derived aromatics if applicable.
• Describe reaction mechanisms and pathways leading to the production of the targeted bio-based aromatics in the context of further advancing process scale-up during or beyond the project duration.
• Clarify the relevant feedstock in scope including availability and process flexibility aspects in relation to feedstock composition if relevant. The cascading valorisation of secondary biomass and residual streams is also in scope.
• Include a task to integrate assessment based on the safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) framework, developed by the European Commission, for assessing the safety and sustainability of chemicals and materials. Under this context, projects are expected to contribute with and develop recommendations that can advance further the application of the SSbD framework. The safety and environmental performance assessment must account for the full value chain and the most relevant final application(s) and end-of-life , ensuring safety for workers, end users / consumers as well as the environment.
• Test and validate (end TRL: 5 and above) the bio-based aromatics for their further conversion or integration further down the value chain.