Ecological Reuse of Agroindustrial subproducts of Hellin Area

Objective

The aim of the project is to demonstrate that the application of innovative technologies in the reuse of agroindustrial byproducts of the Hellín area is a powerful and practical tool to manage a sustainable development of the region. The prototype to be implemented will be based in: A) Wine impurities base fertilisers. B) Substitution of chromium by zumaque (Rhus coriairia) extract in leather and shoe dyeing treatment. C) Recovery of machinery lubricant oil. D) Use of rice husk as packaging material. E) Non-alcoholic apricot liquor.

The once rich and prosperous Hellín area has suffered in the last three decades a deep transformation of its sociioeconomical structure, becoming one of the Spanish regions more hardly affected by lack of employment. The main wealth source of Hellín territory was esparto used extensively in the fifties as industrial fibre. This social culture was the main source of employment and welfare for the region. Plastic fibres came to and end with this natural fibre and 30.000 Has. were abandoned, and many jobs destroyed. Landowners' reaction consisted in the intensive mechanisation of the agriculture operations with massive employment of chemical and farming machinery. Leading to a worrying eutrofisation of the area waters and to the contamination of soils due to the non controlled pouring of farming machinery lubricant oils. Hellín Town Council in a jointly with the main industrial, social and political bodies of the area: industrial and farmers associations, trade unions and political parties, and the support of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha, submits this LIFE proposal with the objective of experimenting a set of innovative technologies, not still in industrial stage, but already having abandoned research level, in order to demonstrate that it is possible to link the regional development with the enhancement of environmental conditions, being this sustainable development a source of wealth and jobs, not only in the long term but also in the short and the medium terms.

Programme(s)

ENV-LIFE 2 - Financial instrument for the environment (LIFE), 1996-1999

Topic(s)

Data not available

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Ayuntamiento de Hellín

EU contribution

No data

Address

C/ del Rabal, no 1.
02400 Hellín. ALBACETE
Spain

Total cost