To carry out industrial interdisciplinary research which will combine chemical the engineering and industrial biotechnology sectors and will promote knowledge transfer by developing a novel, effective and environmentally friendly technology for wood processing into furfural and lactic acid..

Main activities of the project: 1) Development of catalytic hydrolysis as a pretreatment process that simultaneously allows producing furfural from wood C-5 carbohydrates and preserving C-6 carbohydrates in the solid residue for further use; 2) Study of the enzymatic hydrolysis of the lignocellulosic residue as a pretreatment process for lactic acid production; 3) Study of lactic acid production from the glucose solution by the microbiological fermentation process.

Scientific consultants: Dr.sc.ing. Jānis Rižikovs un Dr.sc.ing. Juris Vanags.

Project duration: 36 months.

Total eligible costs of the Project account for 133,805.88 EUR, including funding from the European Regional Development Fund in amount of 85 % – 113,734.99 EUR.