The acrylamide free Superabsorbent Polymer for agriculture water footprint reduction

Informazioni relative al progetto

Polygreen

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 832514

DOI

10.3030/832514

Progetto chiuso

Data della firma CE 28 Novembre 2018

Data di avvio 1 Dicembre 2018

Data di completamento 31 Maggio 2019

Finanziato da

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Costo totale

€ 71 429,00

Contributo UE

€ 50 000,00

Coordinato da

NEST SRL
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Polygreen (The acrylamide free Superabsorbent Polymer for agriculture water footprint reduction)

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2018-12-01 al 2019-05-31

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

PolyGreen is a Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) specifically designed to reduce water consumption in agriculture.
PolyGreen is a SAP for agriculture that does not contain acrylamide, which is a potentially carcinogenic material (Cancer Classification: Group B2 Probable Human Carcinogen) and will be soon banned from agriculture applications. The product is also biodegradable.

The emphasis on agricultural development in the present century has shifted to the sustainable use of land, water and plant resources in agriculture. The major goal of the current agriculture sector is to maximize land and water productivity without threatening the environment and the natural resources. Many nations have experienced considerable distress arising out of drought occurrences - mass starvation (even famines), cessation of economic activity particularly within the developing world where economies are inextricably and intrinsically tied to agriculture.

PolyGreen next steps will be the the strengthen of the already existing market agreements, thanks to a market analysis validation. The company will design the first prototypal plant and complete, on a later stage, the SAP manufacturing pilot plant building and commissioning. PolyGreen needs the European distribution network to be developed, while the dissemination and marketing strategy will be optimized.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

The SME-Instrument Phase 1 PolyGreen Feasibility Study was focused on the following main activities:
1. Pilot plant design;
2. Validation and test strategy;
3. Stakeholder scouting and commercial agreements.

For these tasks the company has:
1. optimized the supply-chain, selecting suppliers and holding agreements at fixed supplying costs;
2. optimized the PolyGreen manufacturing process, reaching the production cost target, assessed the investment forecast, addressed the European Certifications required, defining procedures and costs, defined relevant use cases, planned the final validation tests.

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

On average, 44% of total water abstraction in Europe is used for agriculture.

PolyGreen can be a leverage to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 3, 12 and 15 of United Nation’s plan to achieve better conditions for people and planet by 2030:
Sustainable Goal 3 - ENSURE HEALTHY LIVES AND PROMOTE WELL-BEING FOR ALL AT ALL AGES
Sustainable Goal 12 - ENSURE SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
Sustainable Goal 15 - PROTECT, RESTORE AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE USE OF TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS

The application of this solution by Farming, Agriculture & Horticulture businesses will allow them to increase water holding capacity of soils, to reduce irrigation frequency and water and nutrient loss due to unwanted leaching. This while improving physical properties of compact soils through increased aeration and accelerating plant and crop growth. Thanks to PolyGreen, water and nutrients will continuously be available in the root zone: this feature would guarantee environmental protection against drought and groundwater pollution by controlling the release of fertilisers.

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