A new article focused on extraction technologies and blockchain-based traceability tools pave the way for circular economy solutions across Europe
A new article in the Innovation News Network features Agro2Circular, explaining how the project is developing a circular economy model for transforming agri-food waste from the Murcia region in Spain into valuable resources. Focusing on two main waste streams—multilayer, metallised plastic packaging and fruit and vegetable waste—Agro2Circular has established pilot plants to demonstrate innovative recycling and upcycling methods. For plastic packaging, Agro2Circular combines technologies like GWC recycling, IRIS optical sorting, saperatec delamination, and enzyme engineering to separate and transform complex plastic materials into reusable raw materials for the packaging industry.
In addition, Agro2Circular explores microbial biotechnology for transforming waste products into ingredients for cosmetics. By leveraging yeast strains and environmentally-friendly extraction methods, the project converts ethylene glycol and fruit and vegetable residues into compounds like glycolic acid and microbial oils. These ingredients show promise for use in skincare products. The project also seeks to extract bioactive compounds and dietary fibers from fruit and vegetable waste, aligning with sustainability principles and promoting industrial-scale solutions for circularity in the agri-food sector.
The article also emphasizes Agro2Circular’s environmental and economic sustainability by incorporating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) into the development of extraction technologies for the agri-food sector. These analyses identified key factors affecting environmental impact, such as the high energy demand of freeze-drying, while the project implemented solutions to optimize resource use. For instance, water usage was reduced in the fibre purification stage by adjusting oxidizing agents and introducing water recycling, highlighting areas for further efficiency gains crucial to the economic and environmental viability of these technologies. The project’s adaptable extraction processes are scalable across different European regions with diverse food waste, allowing broad replication potential.
Aligned with circular economy principles, A2C’s extraction processes aim to valorize organic residues by recovering bioactive compounds and fibers suitable for the food, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. These processes reduce dependency on synthetic chemicals, promote renewable resources, and can be tailored to specific market needs, enhancing commercial viability. Additionally, the project has developed a Traceability Tool to ensure transparency and quality in the waste-to-resource process, using blockchain technology to securely track material origins, processes, and standards in line with European traceability guidelines. Together, these innovations illustrate a scalable path for sustainable transformation in the agri-food industry.
Read the full article here.
Featured image by Chandra Oh- Unsplash
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