EXTRAPEC

Winning project of the 2025 call for projects.

OBJECTIVE

The EXTRAPEC project aims to replace petro-based polyacrylates used as antiscaling additives in detergents with bio-based and biodegradable alternatives derived from sugar beet pulp pectin.

APPROACH

Building on the structural similarity between polyacrylates and pectins—both rich in anionic carboxyl groups—EXTRAPEC addresses key bottlenecks of beet pectin by:

• Combining reactive extrusion with enzymatic treatments
• Developing tailored enzyme cocktails
• Extracting, fractionating and characterizing pectin oligomers with targeted functional properties

The most promising fractions will be validated under real industrial conditions.

IMPACT

EXTRAPEC aims to establish a circular valorization pathway for sugar beet pulp, reducing dependence on fossil resources, supporting zero-waste strategies, and enabling the development of sustainable detergent additives for a rapidly growing market.

Project duration:
2026 - 2030

Scientific supervisor:
Catherine RAYON (UPJV)

Partner institutions