PuriFire Energy Wins EU-Backed Funding for WoodVALOR Circular Bioeconomy Project

PuriFire Energy has shared an update.

PuriFire Energy announced that its WoodVALOR project has secured funding from the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). The project focuses on converting contaminated waste wood into higher-value products such as high-performance paints, coatings, biochar, and bio-based chemical intermediates including acrylic acid, fatty acids, and binders. PuriFire will contribute by producing phenolic monomers from decontaminated wood lignin via hydrothermal liquefaction and biochar via hydrothermal carbonisation. These outputs will be used in bio-acrylates for water-based emulsion polymers in decorative wall paints and for carbon sequestration and soil enhancement applications. WoodVALOR is structured as a consortium involving 10 partners across six countries and aims to apply circular economy principles by utilising all wood fractions and process residues.

For investors, the CBE JU funding strengthens PuriFire Energy’s non-dilutive capital base for R&D and demonstration activities, potentially reducing financial risk around technology validation and scale-up. Successful execution of WoodVALOR could position the company more competitively in the emerging bio-based materials and circular economy value chains, particularly in specialty chemicals, coatings, and carbon management markets. Demonstrated capability to produce phenolic monomers and bio-acrylates from waste wood may open licensing, joint venture, or offtake opportunities with coatings manufacturers and industrial users seeking low-carbon feedstocks. In addition, positive project outcomes may enhance PuriFire’s eligibility for future public funding and partnerships across Europe. However, revenue impact will likely be medium- to long-term and dependent on technology scalability, regulatory acceptance, and market adoption of bio-based coatings and biochar products in comparison with conventional petrochemical alternatives.