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Eco-friendly, safe and highly-absorbent wood pellets for animal bedding and litter, produced by an optimized cost-efficient energy process

Project description

From the pellet mill to your pet’s bed

Made from compressed wood fibre and primarily from the residuals left over from the sawmilling process, wood pellets offer an efficient source of energy. Researchers have discovered yet another use: animal bedding. The EU-funded ECO-Pet project will promote the valorisation of currently disused wood wastes from conifers and hardwoods by their transformation into improved pelletised products for animal bedding/litter. Tests with these pellets – made of 100 % biodegradable organic material – show improved efficacy qualities (absorbance and durability). The good news for pet owners is that these pellets will be 38 % cheaper than current similar products, and more durable (increased mechanical resistance) and highly absorbent.

Objective

The ECO-Pet innovation relies on the valorization of current disused wood wastes from conifers and hardwoods by their transformation into improved pelletized products for animal bedding/litter. The novelty of ECO-Pet is based on our patented methodology carried out under an efficient energy production process (<30% of external energy is required). By technical adaptations of the pellet mill to meet the optimal matching between roller pressure, material supply and compression, ECO-Pet wood pellets show improved efficacy qualities (absorbance and durability), but keeping an affordable price for animal owners. ECO-Pet will be a cost-effective (38% cheaper than current similar products), durable (increased mechanical resistance) and highly-absorbent solution (up to 100% more than current options) meeting the needs and demands of the increasing European pet-owning populations. ECO-Pet is expected to become a core source of growth for the company and the successful market launch of ECO-Pet will enable our company to consolidate its position in the wood pellet sector. Therefore, the company will carry out a complete feasibility study, covering the technical aspects required to ensure the ECO-Pet viability and combined with a robust business plan addressing the financial investment requirements and forecasts, and designing a competitive commercial strategy. ECO-Pet is made of 100% biodegradable organic material, being safe and with no impact on the environment. Thus, ECO-Pet addresses important EU global challenges regarding resource efficiency and raw materials, environmental issues and climate action. In addition, ECO-Pet is in line with the Circular Economy Strategy adopted by the European Commission. ECO-Pet will allow the valorization of disused wood wastes, adding value to forest resources, contributing to the sustainable forest management and delivering multiple environmental benefits.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020

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Coordinator

ENERGIA NATURAL DEL NORTE SL
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 50 000,00
Address
POLIGONO LA RAD PARCELA B-1
26371 SOTES
Spain

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Noreste La Rioja La Rioja
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 71 429,00
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