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.
