Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ROBOCOOP-EU (circulaR bioecOnomy Business mOdels owned by agroCOOPeratives)
Reporting period: 2023-06-01 to 2024-11-30
Summary of work performed and main achievements during the first period (M1-M18)
Feedstock Optimisation:
• Three key agro-industrial waste streams (grapes, olives, stone fruits) have been identified and characterised.
• Stabilization and pre-treatment strategies have been developed, including drying and optimised storage, to preserve biomass quality.
Three high-value compound extraction techniques have been developed and optimised:
• Enzyme-Assisted Aqueous Extraction (EAAE).
• Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE).
• Solvent-Based Extraction and Binder Techniques.
Biorefinery demonstration:
• Process parameters have been refined to increase extraction efficiency and reduce operational costs by at least 20%.
• A cascade biorefinery model has been validated, allowing the reuse of secondary waste streams for feed and fertilizer production.
• Process modelling simulations have been conducted using SuperPro Designer to evaluate different optimization scenarios.
• The biorefinery model has been defined as multisectoral and multiproduct.
Bio-Based Products Development
• The project is developing high-value bioactive formulations for applications in cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and food.
• Special attention has been given to eco-design principles, ensuring biodegradability, non-toxicity, and compliance with EU regulations.
• Protocols for the analysis and testing of the extracts produced in final formulations (prototypes) for different applications have been defined.
• First analysis performed on the initial sample received.
Economic and environmental impact assessments.
• A comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA), and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) are currently underway.
• Environmental impact metrics are being quantified to ensure compliance with EU sustainability targets.
• Business models are being designed to assess the economic viability of the developed bio-based solutions.
Dissemination, communication, and policy recommendations.
• A targeted dissemination strategy has been implemented to engage farmers, industry, policy makers and the public.
• A living lab, training programmes, workshops and digital tools have been developed to facilitate knowledge transfer.
• Collaboration with key industry players is ongoing to accelerate market uptake of bio-based solutions.
Feedstock Optimisation:
• Three key agro-industrial waste streams (grapes, olives, stone fruits) have been identified and characterised.
• Stabilization and pre-treatment strategies have been developed, including drying and optimised storage, to preserve biomass quality.
Three high-value compound extraction techniques have been developed and optimised:
• Enzyme-Assisted Aqueous Extraction (EAAE).
• Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE).
• Solvent-Based Extraction and Binder Techniques.
Biorefinery demonstration:
• Process parameters have been refined to increase extraction efficiency and reduce operational costs by at least 20%.
• A cascade biorefinery model has been validated, allowing the reuse of secondary waste streams for feed and fertilizer production.
• Process modelling simulations have been conducted using SuperPro Designer to evaluate different optimization scenarios.
• The biorefinery model has been defined as multisectoral and multiproduct.
Bio-Based Products Development
• The project is developing high-value bioactive formulations for applications in cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and food.
• Special attention has been given to eco-design principles, ensuring biodegradability, non-toxicity, and compliance with EU regulations.
• Protocols for the analysis and testing of the extracts produced in final formulations (prototypes) for different applications have been defined.
• First analysis performed on the initial sample received.
Economic and environmental impact assessments.
• A comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA), and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) are currently underway.
• Environmental impact metrics are being quantified to ensure compliance with EU sustainability targets.
• Business models are being designed to assess the economic viability of the developed bio-based solutions.
Dissemination, communication, and policy recommendations.
• A targeted dissemination strategy has been implemented to engage farmers, industry, policy makers and the public.
• A living lab, training programmes, workshops and digital tools have been developed to facilitate knowledge transfer.
• Collaboration with key industry players is ongoing to accelerate market uptake of bio-based solutions.
Work Performed
Feedstock Optimization (WP2):
Conducted detailed characterization and conditioning of agricultural feedstocks from grapes, olives, and stone fruits. Implemented stabilization and pre-treatment processes, achieving an 80% reduction in water content, enhancing shelf-life and transportability. Focused on reducing environmental impacts through optimized waste processing techniques.
Development of Multi-Feedstock Biorefinery (WP3 & WP4):
Developed and optimized extraction methods such as Enzyme Assisted Aqueous Extraction (EAAE), Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE), and chemical solvent extraction. Enhanced operational efficiency through real-time process monitoring and optimization, resulting in a 20% reduction in operational costs. Designed a zero-waste biorefinery model, ensuring complete utilization of feedstocks and valorization of secondary streams.
High-Value Product Formulation (WP5):
Created bio-based products for multiple sectors including food, feed, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals. Validated three food and beverage products, three feed additives, five cosmetic and nutraceutical products, one plasticizer, and five biofertilizers. Ensured compliance with EU regulations and conducted safety and efficacy testing for all new product formulations.
Value Chain Design (WP6):
Conducted life cycle sustainability assessments (LCSA) to evaluate and optimize the value chain. Implemented digital tools for logistics and supply chain optimization, achieving a 25-30% reduction in GHG emissions. Developed tailored business plans for each regional hub to maximize value chain efficiency and sustainability.
Stakeholder Engagement and Co-Creation (WP7):
Established three regional living labs (Extremadura, Western Macedonia, Apulia) as knowledge-sharing and co-creation spaces. Facilitated the development of four distinct business models, drafting business plans for each regional hub. Secured complementary funding and fostered stakeholder collaboration through pre-agreements and MoUs.
Replication and Dissemination (WP8):
Created a model for replicating project outcomes in other sectors and regions. Organized workshops, webinars, and events to disseminate knowledge and promote bio-based solutions. Engaged with other Horizon Europe projects and stakeholders to enhance the project's impact and visibility.
Feedstock Optimization (WP2):
Conducted detailed characterization and conditioning of agricultural feedstocks from grapes, olives, and stone fruits. Implemented stabilization and pre-treatment processes, achieving an 80% reduction in water content, enhancing shelf-life and transportability. Focused on reducing environmental impacts through optimized waste processing techniques.
Development of Multi-Feedstock Biorefinery (WP3 & WP4):
Developed and optimized extraction methods such as Enzyme Assisted Aqueous Extraction (EAAE), Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE), and chemical solvent extraction. Enhanced operational efficiency through real-time process monitoring and optimization, resulting in a 20% reduction in operational costs. Designed a zero-waste biorefinery model, ensuring complete utilization of feedstocks and valorization of secondary streams.
High-Value Product Formulation (WP5):
Created bio-based products for multiple sectors including food, feed, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals. Validated three food and beverage products, three feed additives, five cosmetic and nutraceutical products, one plasticizer, and five biofertilizers. Ensured compliance with EU regulations and conducted safety and efficacy testing for all new product formulations.
Value Chain Design (WP6):
Conducted life cycle sustainability assessments (LCSA) to evaluate and optimize the value chain. Implemented digital tools for logistics and supply chain optimization, achieving a 25-30% reduction in GHG emissions. Developed tailored business plans for each regional hub to maximize value chain efficiency and sustainability.
Stakeholder Engagement and Co-Creation (WP7):
Established three regional living labs (Extremadura, Western Macedonia, Apulia) as knowledge-sharing and co-creation spaces. Facilitated the development of four distinct business models, drafting business plans for each regional hub. Secured complementary funding and fostered stakeholder collaboration through pre-agreements and MoUs.
Replication and Dissemination (WP8):
Created a model for replicating project outcomes in other sectors and regions. Organized workshops, webinars, and events to disseminate knowledge and promote bio-based solutions. Engaged with other Horizon Europe projects and stakeholders to enhance the project's impact and visibility.
Innovation Overview
The main innovation of ROBOCOOP lies in the co-creation of cooperative business models for implementing circular bioeconomy chains in European regional hubs, emphasizing the primary sector. This innovation addresses the urgent need for new business models in the circular bioeconomy that effectively combine environmental and economic benefits. Unlike current practices that focus on specific aspects of value chains, ROBOCOOP aims to cover various value chains comprehensively, considering technological, social, and financial contexts tailored to regional needs and capabilities. This approach includes the valorization of waste streams from three agricultural sectors—grapes, olives, and stone fruits—to develop replicable models for widespread implementation.
Key Backing Innovations
**Integrated Biomass Characterization and Pretreatment:**
ROBOCOOP introduces a novel candidate screening approach to identify high-value compounds from biomass feedstock. This includes enhanced methods for biomass stabilization and pretreatment, addressing instability and degradation issues through innovative handling and storage measures.
**Advanced Extraction Technologies:**
ROBOCOOP will demonstrate the use of tailored enzymes and a novel combination of supercritical fluid extraction assisted by ultrasounds for extracting multiple bioactive molecules. This will include optimizing cascade extractions for various feedstocks.
**Novel Purification Methods:**
ROBOCOOP will employ innovative systems combining conventional preparative columns with ionic liquid reagents, and use techniques like centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) and molecular distillation for better isolation and purification of biomolecules.
**Secondary Stream Valorization:**
ROBOCOOP aims for cascading fractionation to maximize biomass use, exploring economically favorable applications and integrating processes to retrieve high-value compounds from secondary streams.
**Formulation and Validation of End-Products:**
ROBOCOOP will test novel ingredients from organic and green sources for stabilization. This includes incorporating functional molecules from secondary streams into formulations for improved functionalities and evaluating bioactive ingredients for cosmetic and nutraceutical applications.
**Sustainability and Lifecycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA):**
ROBOCOOP will deploy a model-based optimization approach that includes strategic and operational levels, integrating social aspects with regional data to create jobs and regional wealth. This will involve non-linear business models for a circular economy and detailed models for selected business practices.
The main innovation of ROBOCOOP lies in the co-creation of cooperative business models for implementing circular bioeconomy chains in European regional hubs, emphasizing the primary sector. This innovation addresses the urgent need for new business models in the circular bioeconomy that effectively combine environmental and economic benefits. Unlike current practices that focus on specific aspects of value chains, ROBOCOOP aims to cover various value chains comprehensively, considering technological, social, and financial contexts tailored to regional needs and capabilities. This approach includes the valorization of waste streams from three agricultural sectors—grapes, olives, and stone fruits—to develop replicable models for widespread implementation.
Key Backing Innovations
**Integrated Biomass Characterization and Pretreatment:**
ROBOCOOP introduces a novel candidate screening approach to identify high-value compounds from biomass feedstock. This includes enhanced methods for biomass stabilization and pretreatment, addressing instability and degradation issues through innovative handling and storage measures.
**Advanced Extraction Technologies:**
ROBOCOOP will demonstrate the use of tailored enzymes and a novel combination of supercritical fluid extraction assisted by ultrasounds for extracting multiple bioactive molecules. This will include optimizing cascade extractions for various feedstocks.
**Novel Purification Methods:**
ROBOCOOP will employ innovative systems combining conventional preparative columns with ionic liquid reagents, and use techniques like centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) and molecular distillation for better isolation and purification of biomolecules.
**Secondary Stream Valorization:**
ROBOCOOP aims for cascading fractionation to maximize biomass use, exploring economically favorable applications and integrating processes to retrieve high-value compounds from secondary streams.
**Formulation and Validation of End-Products:**
ROBOCOOP will test novel ingredients from organic and green sources for stabilization. This includes incorporating functional molecules from secondary streams into formulations for improved functionalities and evaluating bioactive ingredients for cosmetic and nutraceutical applications.
**Sustainability and Lifecycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA):**
ROBOCOOP will deploy a model-based optimization approach that includes strategic and operational levels, integrating social aspects with regional data to create jobs and regional wealth. This will involve non-linear business models for a circular economy and detailed models for selected business practices.