Techno-Economic Analysis for the Development of Nanocellulose-Based Materials

• Grant number: 25/12601-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Valdeir Arantes
• Grantee: Diego Andres Rueda Ordonez
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/07023-2 - Development of an enzyme-based platform technology for production and modulation of nanocellulose: validation for biomedical and food packaging applications, AP.JP2

Abstract

This postdoctoral fellowship aims to conduct a comprehensive techno-economic analysis (TEA) of nanocellulose's production and functionalization processes, focusing on developing an enzyme-based platform technology. Leveraging experimental data from the Young Investigator's Project, this project will optimize and validate the economic viability of producing cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). The research will assess production costs, evaluate the benefits of integrating these processes into a unified enzyme platform process, and perform detailed sensitivity analyses to identify key economic variables. The project aims to support the commercial development of innovative nanocellulose-based materials for biomedical and food packaging applications by focusing on cost-effective and scalable production methods. The findings will provide a pathway to reduce production costs, improve scalability, and enhance the commercial viability of nanocellulose products, advancing the project's objectives of creating versatile and sustainable nanocellulose applications. (AU)