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Utilization of Marginal lands for growing sustainable industrial crops and developing innovative bio-based products

Project description

Growing solutions for sustainable bio-based value chains

Ιndustrial crops can provide renewable biomass feedstocks for bio-based products like bioplastics and pharmaceuticals, as well as bioenergy. In this context, the EU-funded MIDAS project will develop low-ILUC (indirect land use change) and allow for the creation of sustainable, innovative bio-based value chains. The addition of mapping will also allow for the observation and acquisition of fields which can also be optimised for reduced water and energy consumption while reinforcing bio-based maintainable value chains that are more efficient.

Objective

MIDAS aims to develop, evaluate and optimize sustainable low-ILUC feedstock by developing selected industrial crops and cropping systems on European marginal agricultural land in a climate-resilient and biodiversity-friendly way to support feasible bio-based value chains. Mapping of the actual and future marginal lands that may be certified as low-ILUC, including current and future expectations on soil erosion and water stress as well as biodiversity challenges and potentials, ecosystem services, and guidelines for enhancing co-benefits will improve understanding of the available marginal land for “low-ILUC” biomass production. Selected industrial crops, already adapted to marginal lands, will be optimized through modern biotechnology tools - particularly for water-use efficiency - and through tailored agronomic practices towards improved resource efficiency. Case studies of innovative farming systems (intercropping, agroforestry) established on marginal land at farm level will improve harvesting solutions, biodiversity data and guidelines while relevant actors (farming community, bio-based industry & academia) will be engaged through Regional Advisory Groups. From the produced biomass innovative bio-based products (biochemicals, composites, and elastomers) will be developed, following the biorefinery and the circular use concept. Potential biomass-to-product(s) pathways will be identified, leading to value chain/ web concepts that will be assessed for sustainability and will produce a multi-criteria tool for the design of sustainable bio-based value webs while enhancing regional biodiversity. Finally business plans to foster circularity at farm level by engaging the farming community, industrial actors and academia through the projects’ Case Studies will be developed. Moreover, through international cooperation (Brazil, Canada) on crops, cropping systems and bio based products MIDAS allows best practices exchange and contributes to win-win scenarios development.

Coordinator

CENTRE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND SAVING FONDATION
Net EU contribution
€ 600 225,00
Address
MARATHONOS 19TH KM
19009 Pikermi
Greece

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Region
Αττική Aττική Ανατολική Αττική
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 600 225,00

Participants (25)

Partners (2)