Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BRILIAN (Cooperative business models for bio-based chains in rural areas)
Reporting period: 2023-06-01 to 2024-11-30
The BRILIAN project, aligned with the EU Green Deal, Bioeconomy Strategy, and CAP, fosters sustainable rural development through the development of cooperative bio-based business models in rural areas while tackling marginal lands, fragmented value chains and regulatory barriers among others. It aims to increase the products’ portfolio of primary production, environmental sustainability, and circular economy deployment.
BRILIAN validates Actions for Bio-Innovation in Italy, Spain, and Denmark, focusing on promoting stronger rural bio-communities, circularity, short supply chains, and value-added bioproducts. The project drives scalability and policy impact by supporting bio-based business models, resource efficiency, an Optimization Toolkit, replicability strategy and policy recommendations while engaging stakeholders via an Advisory Board of Farmers.
The project foresees involving 100+ key stakeholders through the ABF and contractual agreements (42 expected), while creating more than 30 direct jobs. Additionally, BRILIAN will recover 405 hectares of marginal land in Italy, setting a model for the rest of Europe to reduce land abandonment by making previously unproductive land economically viable. This will bring additional socio-economic and environmental benefits including increased farmers’ revenues, improved soil health and biodiversity, and lower carbon emissions. Moreover, the project will contribute to the deployment of new business models that can be replicated beyond the pilot countries, particularly in Eastern and Central Europe. All these targets will consider the integration of Social Sciences and Humanities by including a study on consumer perception and acceptance of bio-based products, assessing socio-economic barriers and incentives for rural actors to engage in new business models. It also applies Responsible Research and Innovation principles by promoting inclusive decision-making and gender balance in the bioeconomy sector. Through its collaboration with BIOEAST HUB CR and local stakeholder groups, BRILIAN ensures that socio-economic factors, policy frameworks, and behavioral aspects are embedded in its impact pathway.
BRILIAN validates Actions for Bio-Innovation in Italy, Spain, and Denmark, focusing on promoting stronger rural bio-communities, circularity, short supply chains, and value-added bioproducts. The project drives scalability and policy impact by supporting bio-based business models, resource efficiency, an Optimization Toolkit, replicability strategy and policy recommendations while engaging stakeholders via an Advisory Board of Farmers.
The project foresees involving 100+ key stakeholders through the ABF and contractual agreements (42 expected), while creating more than 30 direct jobs. Additionally, BRILIAN will recover 405 hectares of marginal land in Italy, setting a model for the rest of Europe to reduce land abandonment by making previously unproductive land economically viable. This will bring additional socio-economic and environmental benefits including increased farmers’ revenues, improved soil health and biodiversity, and lower carbon emissions. Moreover, the project will contribute to the deployment of new business models that can be replicated beyond the pilot countries, particularly in Eastern and Central Europe. All these targets will consider the integration of Social Sciences and Humanities by including a study on consumer perception and acceptance of bio-based products, assessing socio-economic barriers and incentives for rural actors to engage in new business models. It also applies Responsible Research and Innovation principles by promoting inclusive decision-making and gender balance in the bioeconomy sector. Through its collaboration with BIOEAST HUB CR and local stakeholder groups, BRILIAN ensures that socio-economic factors, policy frameworks, and behavioral aspects are embedded in its impact pathway.
In the first period, the project mapped targeted bio-based feedstocks in Italy, Spain, and Denmark, identifying technical barriers and market opportunities, while also assessing replication potential in the BIOEAST region. A bioeconomy market analysis was conducted, alongside a study on consumer perception to ensure social acceptance. The Advisory Board of Farmers was established, with 40 members engaged in discussions on cooperative bio-based models.
A major technical achievement was the Learning and Evaluation Framework, defining KPIs to measure environmental, economic, and social impact at pilot, project and sector level. The first policy bulletin addressed regulatory barriers and provided recommendations for market uptake. A trade-offs and synergies analysis in the Italian and Spanish pilots highlighted economic and environmental benefits. Additionally, a LCA methodology was developed, with preliminary sustainability assessments initiated.
In addition, a cooperative business model was designed and implemented in Italy, engaging farmers through fair contracts and marginal land recovery. Business strategies were tailored for each pilot region, supported by an organizational module for farmer-biorefinery agreements and a logistical module optimizing transportation and processing efficiency.
4 bio-based value chains were validated at a pre-commercial level. In Italy, 46 ha of marginal land were cultivated with safflower and cardoon, producing bio-based herbicides and animal feed. In Spain, an industrial starch recovery system was installed to extract starch that is valorised to produce thermoplastic for biodegradable packaging. In Denmark, the process to extract protein from rapeseed cake has been validated and is under optimization phase. Additionally, a protein-based bio-adhesive was developed, replacing up to 50% of fossil phenol, a key step toward renewable adhesive solutions.
A monitoring system ensured technical validation, integrating field data, process optimization, and environmental assessments. Looking beyond pilots, BRILIAN is developing a replication roadmap for the BIOEAST region and launched the BRILIAN Exploitation Register, identifying nine Key Exploitable Results.
A major technical achievement was the Learning and Evaluation Framework, defining KPIs to measure environmental, economic, and social impact at pilot, project and sector level. The first policy bulletin addressed regulatory barriers and provided recommendations for market uptake. A trade-offs and synergies analysis in the Italian and Spanish pilots highlighted economic and environmental benefits. Additionally, a LCA methodology was developed, with preliminary sustainability assessments initiated.
In addition, a cooperative business model was designed and implemented in Italy, engaging farmers through fair contracts and marginal land recovery. Business strategies were tailored for each pilot region, supported by an organizational module for farmer-biorefinery agreements and a logistical module optimizing transportation and processing efficiency.
4 bio-based value chains were validated at a pre-commercial level. In Italy, 46 ha of marginal land were cultivated with safflower and cardoon, producing bio-based herbicides and animal feed. In Spain, an industrial starch recovery system was installed to extract starch that is valorised to produce thermoplastic for biodegradable packaging. In Denmark, the process to extract protein from rapeseed cake has been validated and is under optimization phase. Additionally, a protein-based bio-adhesive was developed, replacing up to 50% of fossil phenol, a key step toward renewable adhesive solutions.
A monitoring system ensured technical validation, integrating field data, process optimization, and environmental assessments. Looking beyond pilots, BRILIAN is developing a replication roadmap for the BIOEAST region and launched the BRILIAN Exploitation Register, identifying nine Key Exploitable Results.
BRILIAN has introduced marginal land valorization through low-input oil crops, integrating regenerative agriculture to restore soil fertility, improve biodiversity, and increase carbon sequestration. In Italy, 46 ha of underutilized land were cultivated with safflower and cardoon, proving a cost-effective, climate-resilient alternative to high-input monoculture farming.
Another breakthrough is the development of bio-based adhesives in Denmark, where rapeseed by-products have reached 50% replacement of fossil phenol in industrial adhesives while fulfilling standards requirements. In Spain, circular economy innovations were introduced in starch and bioplastics, converting potato-processing waste into thermoplastic starch, a biodegradable alternative to fossil-derived plastics. Initial trials show commercial potential for TPS-based shrink films and mulch films.
Full industrial adoption requires further research, investment, and regulatory support. For instance, in the case of bio-based adhesives, more research is required to further increase the substitution rate of fossil phenol, while TPS bioplastics require improved mechanical properties and processing adaptability. Market entry is challenged by competition with fossil-based alternatives and limited financial support. Access to venture capital, green finance, and EU funding is crucial for scaling up production and ensuring cost competitiveness. Regulatory certification for safety, performance, and compatibility is also essential for commercialization, ensuring bio-based products meet industry standards and gain market acceptance.
Another breakthrough is the development of bio-based adhesives in Denmark, where rapeseed by-products have reached 50% replacement of fossil phenol in industrial adhesives while fulfilling standards requirements. In Spain, circular economy innovations were introduced in starch and bioplastics, converting potato-processing waste into thermoplastic starch, a biodegradable alternative to fossil-derived plastics. Initial trials show commercial potential for TPS-based shrink films and mulch films.
Full industrial adoption requires further research, investment, and regulatory support. For instance, in the case of bio-based adhesives, more research is required to further increase the substitution rate of fossil phenol, while TPS bioplastics require improved mechanical properties and processing adaptability. Market entry is challenged by competition with fossil-based alternatives and limited financial support. Access to venture capital, green finance, and EU funding is crucial for scaling up production and ensuring cost competitiveness. Regulatory certification for safety, performance, and compatibility is also essential for commercialization, ensuring bio-based products meet industry standards and gain market acceptance.