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
- 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
See on map
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
See on map
06847 Dessau
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
08940 CORNELLA DE LLOBREGAT
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1180 Wien
See on map
EC2A 1AJ London
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
30840 Alhama De Murcia
See on map
20126 MILANO
See on map
03690 Alicante
See on map
8911 MA Leeuwarden
See on map
30006 Murcia
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
8911 MA Leeuwarden
See on map
30500 Molina De Segura
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
30564 LORQUI
See on map
30892 Murcia
See on map
30008 Murcia
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
18620 Alhendin
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
30140 Santomera Murcia
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participation ended
42122 Reggio Emilia
See on map
43100 Parma
See on map
46870 Ontinyent
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
46010 Valencia
See on map
04001 Almeria
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
30001 Murcia
See on map
28004 Madrid
See on map
30500 Molina De Segura
See on map
1000 Bruxelles / Brussel
See on map
20136 Milano
See on map
02150 Espoo
See on map
26900 Lodi
See on map
30840 Alhama De Murcia
See on map
30003 Murcia
See on map
Participation ended
30840 Alhama De Murcia
See on map
30510 YECLA MURCIA
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
118 54 ATHENS
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1003 Lausanne
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
30800 Lorca
See on map
30500 Murcia
See on map
30169 Murcia
See on map
20124 Milano
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
01402 Vilnius
See on map
69150 Decines-Charpieu
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.