The project

BUTTERFLY – Biomass Utilized To The Extended portfolio of Renewable Fuels with Large Yields is an Horizon Europe Innovation Action project that aims to develop an innovative and flexible co-production of renewable & recycled carbon DiMethyl Ether (rDME) and Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) from waste and residual feedstocks, targeting the off-grid energy supply, the steel industry and heavy transportation​

Start date: 01 July 2023
​End date: 30 November 2026
Budget: 10,5 M €​
Project number: 101118241​

BUTTERFLY process starts from the testing and validation at TRL7 of three complete value chains from different waste and residual feedstock: lignocellulosic biomass, industrial waste and upgraded wet organic residues.

The project aims to demonstrae the high value application of new waste streams:
  • Black pellets: produced from wet organic residues ​
  • RDF: Refuese-Derived Fuel​
  • ASR: Automotive Shredder Residue​
BUTTERFLY will also contribute to the valorisation of 100% biogenic feedstock used for thermal gasification, such as lignocellulosic biomass.

The validated feedstocks will be converted into flue gas and syngas through indirect gasification, while the SEDMES process will produce DME and methanation will deliver SNG.

BUTTERFLY process will be able to switch operation conditions to tune the production ratios and to adapt to the seasonality of energy demand and supply.

GAYA

Located in Saint-Fons, France, GAYA is an ENGIE cutting-edge semi-industrial R&D platform able to process biomass and waste residues.
​GAYA will be used within the BUTTERFLY project in order to validate at demo-scale the gasification on broad types of feedstocks.

SEDMES

The dedicated SEDMES – Sorption-Enhanced rDME Synthesis unit, developed by TNO, comprises a dedicated 3 reactor column installation that ensures continuous production of rDME.​
SEDMES technology coupled to GAYA gasification and methanation will demonstrate flexible rDME and SNG production at TRL6 and TRL 7.

Impacts

The expected effects of BUTTERFLY in the medium and long-term include:

Comprehensive cost-effective portfolio of value chains for green fuels​

Scale-up of advanced biofuels and renewable fuels ​

Sustainability and security improvement of the value chains​

Response to needs for renewable fuels in energy and transport​

Reduction of GHG emissions along the value chain​