Holoss - Project CHIHIRO

Project: CHIHIRO - CIRCULAR VALORISATION OF GUAYULE BAGASSE AND RESIN FOR CHEMICALLY INNOVATED HIGH-PERFORMANCE RUBBER MATERIALS FOR BIOBASED PRODUCTS

Start: 01/05/2026 End: 31/01/2030

Project website: To be confirmed

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under Grant Agreement No. 101292951.

DESCRIPTION: CHIHIRO aims to establish the first sustainable biorefinery concept for the production of guayule latex and rubber in Europe, addressing strategic autonomy and environmental sustainability in the rubber sector. The project responds to the EU’s need for alternatives to imported natural rubber and fossil-based synthetic rubber by developing a complete, EU-based value chain using guayule—a non-deforesting, low-ILUC feedstock adapted to marginal lands in Southern Europe. CHIHIRO brings together a team of experts to ensure that the whole guayule plant—latex, resin and bagasse—is fully utilised through innovative methods. The project will convert guayule resin into bio-based thermoplastic elastomers using IV techniques. In addition, sugars derived from bagasse will be used to produce high molecular weight polyisoprene through biomanufacturing with specially engineered yeast strains.

Advanced elastomeric materials will be developed by copolymerising guayule latex with hybrid nanoparticles composed of lignin and sulfur. The project will also create sustainable additives for natural rubber compounding, including lignin nanoparticles and cellulose nanofibers. Finally, CHIHIRO will design and validate new rubber materials for real-world applications, including household appliances and toys. CHIHIRO will deliver a comprehensive techno-economic and sustainability assessment, mapping new markets and proposing a scalable biorefinery model. By valorising nearly 100% of guayule biomass, replacing fossil-based fillers and leveraging additive manufacturing, the project will significantly reduce the carbon footprint and enhance circularity in rubber production. CHIHIRO will contribute to European industrial competitiveness, strategic autonomy and the transition to a circular bioeconomy by providing sustainable, high-performance rubber materials and processes.

HOLOSS ROLE:

HOLOSS assesses the techno-economic feasibility of the proposed solutions through Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA), supporting the identification of performance, cost optimisation and market deployment opportunities.

HOLOSS conducts ex-post environmental, economic and social assessments to evaluate the overall sustainability performance of the implemented solutions, identifying achieved benefits, remaining challenges and opportunities for further improvement.

HOLOSS evaluates biorefinery concepts and alternative feedstocks, assessing their sustainability, resource efficiency and scalability potential to support the development of resilient and circular value chains.

HOLOSS develops recommendations for policymakers based on project results and sustainability assessments, supporting evidence-based decision-making and the uptake of sustainable bio-based innovations.