Decarbonization and CO₂ Valorization Services for Lesaffre’s Industrial Operations
How can CO₂ emissions from an industrial site be transformed into a valuable resource?
This question lies at the heart of a strategic project developed in collaboration with Lesaffre, a major player in fermentation and micro-organisms. The objective was to evaluate the full CO₂ valorization chain—from capture to conversion into high-value industrial molecules—through an integrated technological, economic, and environmental lens. To achieve this, following tailored services were selected according to the customer’s need:
Using SCAN-CC, our dedicated service for the comparative assessment of CO₂ capture technologies, we evaluated multiple capture options based on technical, economic, and environmental criteria to identify the solution best suited to Lesaffre’s industrial context.
To ensure an objective evaluation, we first defined clear working assumptions and selected key technical indicators. This led to a useful comparison of possible CO₂ capture technologies, supplemented by a multi-criteria analysis to highlight the most relevant solutions.
This phase of the project pursued a dual objective:
- To compare multiple synthesis pathways for converting CO₂, traditionally a waste stream, into valuable industrial products
- To identify the most promising options for future large-scale deployment.
A few high-potential molecules were selected as CO₂-derived targets relevant to Lesaffre’s operations. For each molecule, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to explore existing synthesis routes. However, none of the identified pathways could be directly implemented at industrial scale. As a result, our team developed and modeled complete, custom-tailored processes, including reaction schemes, separation technologies, and operating parameters required to achieve an annual output of 100 000 tonnes at defined purity levels.
These process models provided detailed material and energy balances. A thermal integration study, based on the Pinch method, was then conducted to optimize heat recovery and reduce external energy demand—one of the key challenges in CO₂ conversion.
In parallel, we evaluated the economic feasibility (CAPEX/OPEX) of each pathway and performed a preliminary environmental assessment (LCA) to identify major impact drivers.
This work laid a solid foundation for new circular industrial pathways capable of valorizing CO₂ instead of emitting it. The project has now entered a scale-up phase, focused on refining the most promising process design for future industrial implementation.
Client Review
At Lesaffre, a major player in fermentation and micro-organisms, we’re committed to making the most of our co-products while reducing our environmental footprint. Recovering and reusing CO₂ from our processes is a key part of this effort. The team of ENTRAIN Engineering quickly grasped our industrial challenges, assessed our emissions, and proposed a practical, promising solution to capture and convert this CO₂ into a valuable resource for our operations. Their approach helped sharpen our strategy and laid a solid foundation for a project we’re now bringing to life together. This collaboration has fully lived up to our expectations.
SOLVEMORE : Reduce solvent degration
How can solvent degradation be reduced to make CO₂ capture more efficient and sustainable?
This is the central question driving the SolveMORE project, which aims to improve solvent management in chemical absorption-based CO₂ capture processes. The project places particular emphasis on CESAR1 — a solvent that is increasingly establishing itself as the new industry benchmark.
SolveMORE is a 36-month project funded under the CETP framework, scheduled for completion in November 2028. The official kick-off meeting was held on 3 December 2025 at TNO’s facilities in Rijswijk, the Netherlands.
ENTRAIN Engineering is participating in this project with the financial support of the Walloon Region, as part of an international consortium bringing together universities, research centres and industrial partners: NTNU (Norway), INSA Rouen Normandie (France), University of Liège (Belgium), SINTEF (Norway), RWE Power AG & RWE Generation SE (Germany), Carbon Circle AS (Norway), Carbon Centric AS (Norway), TNO and Cuurios (the Netherlands).
