Turning carbon of complex organic urban waste streams into value-added products

Project Information

CIRCULAR BIOCARBON

Grant agreement ID: 101023280

DOI

10.3030/101023280

EC signature date 23 April 2021

Start date 1 June 2021

End date 31 May 2027

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy

Total cost

€ 22 952 297,50

EU contribution

€ 14 999 999,75

Coordinated by

URBASER SA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - CIRCULAR BIOCARBON (Turning carbon of complex organic urban waste streams into value-added products)

Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2025-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Despite significant progress in waste recycling over recent decades, a substantial portion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) remains underutilized, often ending up in landfills or incinerated. The CIRCULAR BIOCARBON project addresses this challenge by pioneering a new urban biorefinery model that transforms OFMSW and sewage sludge (SS) into high-value products, driving the shift from a linear to a circular economy in Europe.
Funded by the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU), the project aims to demonstrate a first-of-its-kind circular approach to managing organic urban waste streams. Through a cascade of innovative technologies, the biorefinery will jointly process OFMSW and SS to produce marketable bio-based materials such as coatings for consumer products, mechanical components and plastic moulds; biodegradable and compostable waste bags and mulch films; green graphene-based devices; and solid and liquid organo-mineral fertilizers with biostimulant properties.
This integrated model is implemented at two strategic locations: Zaragoza (Spain) at the city's Urban Waste Treatment Complex, and the Alfonso Maíllo Innovation Centre, both managed by Urbaser; and Sesto San Giovanni (Italy), within the Biopiattaforma facilities managed by CAP Group. These sites were chosen for their logistical advantages, proximity to customers, and market access.
CIRCULAR BIOCARBON not only seeks to close material loops and reduce reliance on non-renewable resources but also aims to foster new economic opportunities and job creation in both urban and rural areas. Additionally, the project promotes public awareness and understanding of circular economy principles, resource efficiency, and sustainable waste and wastewater management, contributing to Europe’s broader bioeconomy and climate neutrality goals.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The project has made notable advancements in its implementation phases. During this reporting period, pilot facilities in Zaragoza (Spain) and Sesto San Giovanni (Italy) have been completed and are now operational. These biorefineries integrate innovative technologies that valorize waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerators. The project has also fostered collaboration between local governments, research centers, and industry, while raising public awareness about the benefits of circular economy practices.
The project has also laid the groundwork for regulatory compliance and scalability, ensuring that the model can be replicated in other urban contexts. Collaboration among stakeholders has been a key success factor, and the project has actively engaged with the public to raise awareness about the benefits of circular economy solutions.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

CIRCULAR BIOCARBON is going beyond the current state of the art by integrating advanced processes, such as nutrient recovery, biogas upgrading, and bioplastic production, into a single and cohesive system. This model not only demonstrates technical feasibility but also showcases how cities can become hubs of sustainable innovation. The project’s dual-site implementation proves that the concept is adaptable to different regional conditions. It serves as a blueprint for other cities aiming to reduce waste, lower emissions, and create new economic opportunities. The technologies developed are expected to contribute to job creation, especially in green sectors, and to support Europe’s goals for climate neutrality and resource efficiency. By turning waste into value, CIRCULAR BIOCARBON is helping to reshape how we think about urban sustainability, transforming a challenge into an opportunity for innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth.

CIRCULAR BIOCARBON Biorefinery scheme