ELOBIO

ELOBIO – Electrolysis of Biomass for Hydrogen and Biochemical Production is an ambitious project funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under the Green Hydrogen Portfolio, which brings together nine innovative initiatives focused on producing green hydrogen from renewable sources. The EIC has allocated nearly €29 million to this portfolio, underlining the strategic importance of developing clean hydrogen technologies to meet the European Union’s climate and energy goals.

The ELOBIO project addresses a pressing challenge in the energy and chemical industries: the need to decarbonise production processes that currently rely on fossil-based resources. ELOBIO proposes a breakthrough solution—biomass electrolysis—that enables the simultaneous production of green hydrogen and high-value biochemicals from wood-based biomass and agricultural residues. This innovative process not only reduces energy consumption but also integrates seamlessly into biorefinery operations, supporting the principles of circular economy and energy efficiency.

The geographic scope of ELOBIO is pan-European, and its long-term strategic importance lies in providing a scalable and sustainable alternative to fossil-derived hydrogen and chemicals. By utilising local renewable biomass resources, the project also contributes to regional development and energy autonomy.

The target groups for the project include biorefinery operators, renewable energy and hydrogen technology developers, chemical industry stakeholders, research institutions, and policy makers. ELOBIO’s outcomes will also benefit wider society through reduced emissions and increased availability of clean technologies.

The Baltic Innovation Agency (BIA) contributes to the project by leading market and value chain analysis activities. BIA ensures that project results are effectively shared with relevant industries and communities and that collaboration is fostered across sectors to support future market uptake.

Running from 2024 to 2028, the project is structured in two main phases: the first focuses on technology development and pilot demonstration, while the second prepares for commercialisation and market readiness.

ELOBIO’s main objective is to design and build a pilot biomass electrolyser capable of producing both green hydrogen and decarbonised biochemicals with low energy input. This technology will be tested using various types of biomass, including wood and agricultural by-products. Expected outcomes include a functional pilot system, validation of process efficiency, and demonstration of compatibility with existing biorefinery infrastructures.

The project uses a combination of electrochemical engineering, materials development, system integration, and multi-actor co-creation, ensuring that the solution is technologically robust and aligned with real-world needs.

The long-term impact of ELOBIO is to launch the first generation of biomass electrolysers on the market by 2035, followed by a second, more efficient generation by 2045. By pioneering this new value chain, ELOBIO will contribute significantly to the EU Green Deal, enhance the resilience of European industry, and accelerate the transition toward a climate-neutral economy.