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TERRITORIAL CIRCULAR SYSTEMIC SOLUTION FOR THE UPCYCLING OF RESIDUES FROM THE AGRIFOOD SECTOR

Project description

New ways to upcycle agri-food packaging

Multilayer plastic films are widely used as industrial packaging for the protection of fruit and vegetables. Despite their tremendous benefits in the storage, transport and preservation of food, associated environmental concerns are growing. More than half of plastic waste created in Europe comes from packaging. In this context, the EU-funded Agro2Circular project will develop the first recycling value chain for post-industrial multilayer films based on a synergistic approach. It will combine innovative sorting, physical delamination, enzymatic depolymerisation, decontamination and mechanical recycling. To address a lack of digitalisation in the agri-food sector, the project will employ a Data Integration System as a digital tool to ensure traceability and as a predictive decision tool.

Objective

Agro2Circular (A2C) project is focused on the implementation of the first territorial systemic solution for the upcycling of most relevant residues in the agrifood sector (fruits& vegetables and plastic multilayers) into high added value products, powered by a digital tool and constructed upon a systemic approach with high replicable/scalable potential. Through this solution, A2C will face important industrial, economic & social challenges in the agrifood sector:
1) The fruits & vegetables (F&V) are the group of major contribution to food waste along the food supply chain rising up to > 40% of waste, and are as excellent source of natural bioactives. However, these F&V wastes are not exploited. A2C will valorise them by green routes to obtain these bioactives for the production of nutraceuticals, functional foods, and cosmetics.
3) Multilayer plastic films are widely used as industrial packaging for the protection of food and agriculture for crops due to their unique barrier properties. However, there is a lack of sorting and recycling technologies for an economic and environmentally sustainable valorisation of these multilayer structures. A2C will develop the first recycling value chain for post-industrial multilayer films based on a synergistic approach combining innovative sorting, physical delamination, enzymatic depolymerisation, decontamination & mechanical recycling.
3) There is a lack of digitalisation in the agrifood sector. A2C will implement a Data Integration System (DIS) as a digital tool for ensuring traceability and as Predictive Decision Tool in the agrifood sector.
A2C will be a demonstrated in the Regi?n de Murcia (Spain) and replicable systemic solution throughout Europe for the territorial deployment of the circular economy.

Call for proposal

H2020-LC-GD-2020

See other projects for this call

Sub call

H2020-LC-GD-2020-3

Coordinator

ASOCIACION EMPRESARIAL DE INVESTIGACION CENTRO TECNOLOGICO DEL CALZADOY DEL PLASTICO DE LA REGION DE MURCIA
Net EU contribution
€ 1 213 379,70
Address
AVENIDA EUROPA 4 5 POLIGONO INDUSTRIAL LAS SALINAS
30840 Alhama De Murcia
Spain

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Sur Región de Murcia Murcia
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 1 213 379,70

Participants (41)