The project title is: Biotechnological conversion of crude glycerol into high added-value microbial products through green and sustainable technologies. The acronym of the project is Green_Glycerol_Conversions and the project code Τ2ΕΔΚ-01482. More Information.

The main by-product of biodiesel production is crude glycerol. Thus, it is crucial for the viability of the biodiesel production plants to seek technologies that would be able to convert this by-product either to advanced biofuels or to high added value chemicals. The goal of the Green Glycerol Conversions project is to perform studies related with the valorization of industrial glycerol, using sustainable, mild and eco-friendly processes. 1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PD), 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD), ethanol and intracellular polyhydroxy-alkanoates (PHA) are envisaged to be produced in laboratory and semi-pilot scale operations under a variety of culture conditions, using selected bacterial strains. In most cases, the bacteria that will be implicated have been isolated from Greek products and they are putatively non pathogenic.

Elin Verd as a biodiesel producer will supply the raw materials for the study of the above mentioned processes and will also contribute to final product extraction in lab scale as well as pilot scale production of the studied products.