Valorisation of aquatic biomass waste and residues

Topic description

ExpectedOutcome:

In line with the objectives of the circular economy and the zero pollution action plan, successful proposals will facilitate the large-scale deployment of industrial bio-based systems. These systems will contribute to new EU strategy for a Sustainable Blue Economy implementation and address the EC Communication Towards a Strong and Sustainable EU Algae Sector, demonstrating improved environmental performances, maximum resource- and energy-efficiency, and optimal cascading use of bio-based feedstock, aiming for ‘zero waste’^[1] and ‘zero-pollution’^[1] operations.

Project results should contribute to the following expected outcomes:

• Industrial competitiveness, strategic autonomy and resource independence of bio-based value chains of EU member states and/or Associated countries.
• Improved circularity and resource efficiency via practical application of the circular (bio)economy concept, maximising the valorisation of residual biomass.
• Market uptake and growth of scalable circular bio-based solutions for high value applications.
• Availability of a broader range of bio-based products meeting market requirements
• Income and business opportunities diversification for stakeholders and actors (including fisheries and aquaculture) in the bio-based sectors
• New skilled job opportunities and investments in the bio-based sectors, particularly in coastal areas
• Social acceptance of circular bio-based solutions and products.
• Significant contribution to the objectives of the R&I Mission ‘Restore our Oceans and Waters by 2030’ and the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership

Residual and waste streams^[3] from fisheries, seafood processing and aquaculture, including seaweed and invertebrates, represent potentially interesting but so far underutilised sources of active compounds, chemicals and materials. Some of them are processed into animal feed or fertilisers, but a large proportion is treated as waste (e.g. discards), despite containing interesting molecules for cosmetics and nutraceutical applications, among others. Moreover, associated disposal costs are high.

The specific challenge consists in demonstrating and deploying the efficient operation of a full value chain based on residuals and side streams from aquaculture, fisheries and aquatic processing for valorisation into new bio-based products (food/feed ingredients, chemicals and materials), increasing the value of extracted fractions, while retaining and adding functionality and increasing the range of end applications. Additional challenge consists in guaranteeing quality of the biomass for processing, including by mobile and modular units (where relevant). Microalgae and related streams are not in scope.

Proposals under this topic should:

• Demonstrate the suitability of small scale, decentralised biorefinery concepts (that may include modular and mobile units when relevant), extracting maximum value from (all components of) the sustainably sourced bio-based feedstock to produce a variety of products in the scope of CBE JU including chemicals, bioactives, soil nutrients, as well as food and feed ingredients.
• Upscale the production technologies and deploy the complete value chain to address the hurdles and bottlenecks regarding the availability, sourcing, logistics and associated infrastructure in the targeted biomass feedstock supply systems. These could include pre-treatment aspects as necessary to preserve feedstock quality and minimise losses due to biodegradation.
• Demonstrate the selection, extraction or production of specific compounds from these residual streams into products for further value-added applications in the chemical industry, cosmetics and human or animal nutrition. Proposals may address more than one feedstock and production chain in an integrated concept.
• Include processing operations tailored to local circumstances. These operations will need to cope with availabilities, distances, qualities of the residuals and side streams, possible variations in these qualities, etc. The business case underlying the proposal must include a feasibility assessment (technological and financial) of: (i) the associated processes at the envisaged scale; and (ii) combinations with other relevant processes.

Proposals are recommended to include a task to perform an assessment based on the safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) framework, developed by the European Commission, for assessing the safety and sustainability of chemicals and materials^[4]. Under this context, proposals are recommended to also include a task to contribute with and develop recommendations that can advance further the application of the SSbD framework^[5].

Proposals may consider making existing/new industrial assets (e.g., labs, test rigs, etc.) accessible to researchers, SMEs, etc., for visit, training and testing bio-based processes.

Proposals must apply the concept of the 'multi-actor approach’ and ensure adequate involvement of primary producers and other relevant actors in rural/coastal areas

Proposals should also describe their contribution to the Specific CBE JU requirements, presented in section 2.2.3.1, and the Cross-cutting elements, highlighted in section 2.2.3.2 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2023^[6].

Where relevant, proposals should consider synergies and complementarities with results of past and ongoing EU funded projects and calls, including BBI JU^[7].

[1]for a description of the term, see annex Glossary in the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2023 (https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents)

[2]for a description of the term, see annex Glossary in the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2023 (https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents)

[3]derived from sustainably sourced aquatic biomass, applying available EU/international certifications when applicable

[4]See documents defining the framework and criteria on: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/industrial-research-and-innovation/key-enabling-technologies/advanced-materials-and-chemicals_en.

[5]More specifically, provide thresholds that can support the criteria definition and improvements for the assessment SSbD methodologies, including any specificities related with bio-based surfactants. Recommendations should also include identification of data gaps, especially safety, environmental, but also socio-economic factors, as well as priorities for data collection.

[6]CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2023 (https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents)

[7]For example AQUABIOPROFIT , WASEABI, NEWPACK