Petroleum resources currently provide the main raw material used in the production of chemicals including synthetic polymers. In addition to the escalating scarcity of these resources, the harmful impact on human health as well as on environment is motivating the scientific community to develop sustainable alternatives for the chemical industry in general and for the polymer production in particular. In this context, renewable building blocks derived from biomass are considered as attractive and inexhaustible resources, if the cultivation of these later ones is well managed. Some of the key renewable raw materials being used to replace petrochemical feedstocks include plant oils, polysaccharides and other plant cell wall components such as lignin or polysaccharides. Hemicelluloses, which represent 15% to 35% of plants and wood and are the second most abundant natural polymers in the vegetal world after cellulose can be considered as a very interesting and underexploited source of bio-based building blocks for the chemistry and polymer industries. Unlike cellulose, hemicelluloses are composed of different 5- and 6-carbon sugars, have a low degree of polymerisation (50-300), present ramification in the main chain molecule, and are essentially amorphous. The most important classes of hemicellulose belong to (galacto)-glucomannans (G-GM) and arabino-xylans (AX). Recent efforts have been undergone to allow extracting hemicelluloses prior Kraft cooking with a minimum of damage to the fibers used in papermaking. However, despite important efforts, a large fraction of the extracted hemicelluloses-rich material is composed of monomers or low-molecular mass oligomers. Alternatives to add value to this low molecular mass fraction are therefore needed. In this project, we propose the development of i) an efficient recovery process for this low-molecular fraction and ii) the production of polyols through catalytic deoxygenation of the sugars; iii) their oxidation into dicarboxylic acids to be used as renewable building blocks for iv) the synthesis of polyesters and polyurethanes, with the main objective to replace petroleum-based counterparts. Based on previous work carried out for other mono/polysaccharides, the project proposes to study the hydrolysis/hydrogenolysis of soluble hemicelluloses/oligomers/monomers in presence of supported metals as catalysts to produce polyols (C2-C6) having different OH groups and their conversion into polymerisable dicarboxylic acids, depending on the reaction conditions. Depending on the number of remaining carbon atoms in the polyols (breakdown of C-C linkages), the number of OH groups (deoxygenation) and the degree of oxidation of OH into COOH groups, totally different polymers (polyesters or polyurethanes) can be obtained. The most promising conditions for hemicelluloses extraction and purification, their catalytic transformation into polyols then to carboxylic acids and polymerization as polyesters or polyurethanes will be optimized and scaled-up in order to produce enough amounts of materials to be tested in some specific applications (composites, insulating panels, cosmetics, etc). The approach will be completed by (simplified) technical, environmental and economic studies compared to other commercially available polyesters and polyurethanes. The project constitutes thus a coherent ensemble, proposing a new, eco-efficient way of producing bio-sourced commodity products. Although fundamental research aspects constitute the core of the project, the consortium gathers cross-disciplinary partners: IRCELYON, specialized in catalysis; LIST, specialized in polymers and materials science and FCBA, technical center for the forest-related industries which is in strong connection with wood, pulp and paper, and chemistry industry. This will undoubtedly guarantee effective transfer of knowledge created during the project to industry.

The main goal of the WoodCircus is to increase knowledge, raise awareness and improve conditions for an uptake of resource efficient processing and recycling in wood-based value chains, fostering increased competitiveness of the European woodworking sector. WoodCircus identifies, evaluates and disseminates the outstanding good practises in process efficiency, wood waste collection, management and recycling in the woodworking value chains in Europe with a focus on construction with wood. Achieving a thorough evaluation of the overall system’s performance and a validation of the most relevant transferable solutions, WoodCircus produces sound, critical evidence and tangible decision support information for market actors, stakeholders and policymakers. WoodCircus establishes a well-integrated network between wood processing industries and the waste management sector engaging excellence for future-oriented joint promotion of the wood sector in the Circular Bioeconomy. WoodCircus implements the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy and the EU Bioeconomy Strategy targets ensuring intelligent utilisation of forest resources and sets up an interface to the EC Raw Materials Information System and the JRC Bioeconomy Knowledge Centre . WoodCircus major outcomes are: 1) Good practice database; 2) Open competition on individual good practice showcases and award to SMEs; 3) Performance and sustainability assessment; 4) Validated best performing supply chain typology for broad transfer; 5) RDTI plan wood industries towards the Circular Economy;(6) White Paper including policy recommendations and communication strategies; 7) WoodCircus Network, established on solid commitments from partners and stakeholders for follow-up beyond the project lifetime. WoodCircus is based on a balanced mix of leading RTO and companies with proven expertise all along the woodworking and construction value chains including waste valorisation and associations at local, national and international level.

Wood is a material that must contribute to achieving the European objectives fixed by 2020 in terms of sustainability, environmental quality buildings, (20 % reduction in consumption), energy saving materials and renewable fuels (20 %) and especially against climate change (20 % reduction of greenhouse gas emissions) usage. No other traditional construction material has these qualities. In France, it has been also highlighted all the interest which represents a larger utilization of timber in the construction industry. For these reasons, the development of the use of wood in the building is worn by a political will of the European Union and the States. In order to allow a homogenization of wood structures sizing methods, European codes (Eurocode 5 in the case of timber) permanently replace national rules from 1 March 2010. However the Eurocode 5 obliges prescribers to use wood which has been classified visually or mechanically. Processes and standards of classification, mainly developed by the leading Northern European countries are not adapted to deliver the highest value for the French softwood species. The challenge is first to acquire the knowledge necessary to classify optimally the sawn from the national resource, i.e. without downgrade them. This project focuses primarily on the douglas fir which harvest availability will be very important in the coming years, but also discusses the spruce, fir, oak and will lead to development of a methodology that can then be applied to other species. According to standard EN 338, the classification of a lumber requires to assess its density, its Young modulus, its bending strength (MOR), and to compare them to the limits defined by the standard and then to infer the resistance class. The non-destructively MOR estimate is the main technological lock. The accuracy of the assessment of the MOR by current machines remains little accurate. This is why we want to improve the effectiveness of these methods by adding several parameters such as wire slope, water content or wood compression. The development of classification machines that are more reliable and more efficient than the visual ranking, which can reach industrial rates and remain in reasonable price scales represents a very important issue. There are already optical or x-ray scanners to obtain information about the nodes or local density, but many optimizations remain to be carried out by a detailed analysis. There are a number of machines in the market but their prices are too expensive for small or medium-sized structures which will never be able to finance such systems. Demand is strong and in France mainly, since as a significant amount of softwood planted in the after war is currently to be mature. The visual classification limits the utilisation of these wooden structures for building parts although they have very good mechanical characteristics. An alternative to visual ranking is therefore imperative to get the most from these wood. It is essential to conduct an ambitious research program in France in this area to control measuring parameters and their treatment to predict more accurately actual mechanical skills of the wood to optimize the most this material.

CONTEXT:Integrated Management Systems (IMS) help companies dealing with Quality, Environment and Safety norms (mainly ISO9001, 14001/EMAS, 45001) to reduce management systems implementation difficulties and maintenance costs. Moreover, this system supports companies competitiveness and strategies implementation. Within EU, SMEs represent 99% of companies and employ 68% of workers and this number is growing. SMEs limited human and financial resources make difficult for them create and maintain these systems that could help them being more competitive on the medium and long term. There is a clear lack of training courses, materials and tools helping SMEs to acquire skills and knowledge needed to efficiently internally implement an IMS.OBJECTIVES:EASIMS has developed 2 innovative training means to facilitate IMS design and implementation in SMEs, changing the training approach currently based on norms requirements:1- A modular course based on processes management - identification, design, implementation, revision and improvement of processes and their elements - (EQF 5, 1.4 ECVET credits, 35 h).2- A software to facilitate the practical IMS design and implementation.They are useful for SME IMS manager in any sector. An application case has been developed for furniture SMEs. They provide practical training assistance to help IMS Managers to learn by doing through the design and implementation of an IMS in a specific SME.We have achieved our three Specific Objectives:SO1 Increase knowledge of skills needs related to IMS implementationSO2 Deliver a validated New Joint Curriculum for the IMS ManagerSO3 Increase sector capacity building and improve work-based learning at local levelOur 9 multiplier events have reinforced the project impact.7 PARTNERS:CENFIM furniture and household innovation and training centreAMUEBLA furniture employers associationURV higher education entity with a sound knowledge and experience in IMS systemsDANMAR IT VET entity and developer of e-learning customised ICT solutionsUEA European furniture companies confederation and EU Social Dialogue memberFCBA Research centre and VET provider specialized in furniture sector and certificationIIS MERONI a public initial VET provider specialized in furnitureMETHODOLOGY and ACTIVITIES:Validate furniture SMEs skills and knowledge needs for successfully implementing an IMS.Build the IMS structure containing key processes, procedures, indicators and forms.Deliver and validate a new joint Curriculum for the IMS Manager.Produce the training course materials in 6 languages (EN, ES, IT, FR, PL, CZ).Deliver an e-learning platform with all the training material integrated into it (6 modules, 30 units and 67 training pills / EQF 5, 1.4 ECVET credits, 35 h).Develop a software to facilitate the practical IMS design, documentation and implementation.Validate the outputs through a pilot course and multiplier events.RESULTS:IMS Manager on-line course: training materials in form of 67 training pills oriented to a practical approach and to IMS implementation.EASIMS Dynamic Demonstrator: software that facilitates the design, customization and implementation of an IMS within furniture SMEs.A new specific curriculum for the IMS Manager professional profile.A MoU for recognition of the course training outcomes within and outside the partnership.Main TARGET GROUPS:IMS Managers, professionals, students and unemployed interested in IMS.Furniture and manufacturing SMEs interested in implementing an IMS.Initial/continuous VET providers and High Education Institutions of the furniture sector.VET regulatory entities.Regional/National/European Employees and Employers associations of the furniture sector.QUANTITATIVE IMPACT:Pilot course learners: 107Multiplier events attendees: 120 in total, 74 granted participantsSMEs/freelancers involved in pilot course and multiplier events: 221Total external participants: 365Stakeholders reached: > 10.000Webpage visits (last 4 months): 1.973MID & LONG-TERM BENEFITS:EASIMS will improve medium and long-term VET system training provision, due to the availability of an innovative new modular training course and a work-based supporting tool.Partners VET providers and URV will benefit of the project outcomes and outputs by innovating and improving their training offer well after the end of the project.The new curriculum of IMS Manager will be available as VET offer.Awareness about IMS benefits will boost their implementation by easier & cheaper tools, improving SME’ competitiveness.EASIMS Dynamic Demonstrator can be replicated and used in other sectors.