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.
