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.
Fields of science
Not validated
Not validated
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturefruit growing
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturevegetable growing
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
30840 Alhama De Murcia
Spain
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participants (41)
30840 Alhama De Murcia
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06847 Dessau
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
08940 Madrid
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1180 Wien
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EC2A 1AJ London
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
30840 Alhama De Murcia
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20126 Milano
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03690 Alicante
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8911 MA Leeuwarden
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30006 Murcia
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
8911 MA Leeuwarden
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30500 Molina De Segura
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
30564 LORQUI
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30892 Murcia
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30008 Murcia
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
18620 Alhendin
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
30140 Santomera Murcia
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participation ended
42122 Reggio Emilia
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43100 Parma
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46870 Ontinyent
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
46010 Valencia
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04001 Almeria
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
30001 Murcia
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28004 Madrid
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30500 Molina De Segura
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1000 Bruxelles / Brussel
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20136 Milano
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02150 Espoo
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26900 Lodi
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30840 Alhama De Murcia
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30003 Murcia
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Participation ended
30840 Alhama De Murcia
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30510 YECLA MURCIA
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
118 54 ATHENS
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1003 Lausanne
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
30800 Lorca
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30500 Murcia
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30169 Murcia
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20124 Milano
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
01402 Vilnius
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69150 Decines-Charpieu
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.