Agro2Circular (A2C) project is focused on the implementation of the first territorial systemic solution for the upcycling of most relevant residues in the agrifood sector (fruits& vegetables and plastic multilayers) into high added value products, powered by a digital tool and constructed upon a systemic approach with high replicable/scalable potential. Through this solution, A2C will face important industrial, economic & social challenges in the agrifood sector: 1) The fruits & vegetables (F&V) are the group of major contribution to food waste along the food supply chain rising up to > 40% of waste, and are as excellent source of natural bioactives. However, these F&V wastes are not exploited. A2C will valorise them by green routes to obtain these bioactives for the production of nutraceuticals, functional foods, and cosmetics. 3) Multilayer plastic films are widely used as industrial packaging for the protection of food and agriculture for crops due to their unique barrier properties. However, there is a lack of sorting and recycling technologies for an economic and environmentally sustainable valorisation of these multilayer structures. A2C will develop the first recycling value chain for post-industrial multilayer films based on a synergistic approach combining innovative sorting, physical delamination, enzymatic depolymerisation, decontamination & mechanical recycling. 3) There is a lack of digitalisation in the agrifood sector. A2C will implement a Data Integration System (DIS) as a digital tool for ensuring traceability and as Predictive Decision Tool in the agrifood sector. A2C will be a demonstrated in the Regi?n de Murcia (Spain) and replicable systemic solution throughout Europe for the territorial deployment of the circular economy.

Agrochemicals (i.e., fertilizers and pesticides) are responsible for doubling crop yields over the last century. However, they cause multiple negative impacts on environmental and human health. To lessen their effects, the EU aims at reducing by 50% fertilizer losses and use of chemical pesticides by 2030. Controlled polymer-based delivery systems preventing agrochemical losses (e.g., lixiviation, volatilization) and resulting excessive inputs are available. However, they are based on non-biodegradable polymers and generate plastic pollution. Other agricultural plastics (mulch films and growth foams) are used to maintain a prosperous plant environment and prevent agrochemical wash-off, minimizing the quantities to be applied. However, they also result in significant amounts of non-biodegradable plastics being released into environment. PHAntastic tackles the reduction of agrochemicals and plastics pollution using PHAs, a family of bio-based biodegradable polymers. PHAntastic will develop two families of delivery systems (mulch films and growth foams) based on PHAs containing active bioproducts (amino acids & hydrolyzed proteins, microelements, elicitors and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria -PGPR) instead of synthetic agrochemicals. Products will be demonstrated with end users (TRL6) on horticultural crops and trees in Northern and Southern Europe. Experts in the Safe and Sustainable by Design framework will guarantee compliance. Market acceptance will be guaranteed through the development of business cases and exploitation strategies. PHAntastic will contribute to a significant reduction of agrochemicals (minimum 25% in fertilizers, 50% in pesticides, resulting in 23 K tons less of agrochemicals by 2050) and plastic (680 T microplastics less by 2050) in our agricultural systems. PHAntastic will thus contribute to a secure supply chain of food and a less impactful agriculture, boosting the sustainability, autonomy and competitiveness of vital EU value chains.

The upPE-T project aims upcycling recalcitrant oil-based plastics by bioconversion into biodegradable bioplastic for food and drink packaging production. Plastic packaging, which make up nearly 60% of the total plastic waste in Europe, is highly problematic from a waste management- and environmental- point of view due to their durability and resistance to degradation. Polyethylene (PE) and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are the leading plastic use in food and drink packaging (43% PE and 19% PET). The sustainable management of this plastic waste has become a very challenging problem for global society. In upPE-T we will include sustainable strategies as an alternative for plastic chemical degradation. The consortium will improve PE and PET depolymerization through enzymatic engineering to positively impact food and drink packaging recycling rate and achieving the European Union expected impact. In upPE-T we will turn PE and PET waste streams via enzymatic degradation and microbial assimilation into raw material for the production of biodegradable bioplastics. In addition, we will simplify the downstream bioplastic recovery process from cell biomass using an efficient and green extraction approach in which toxic solvents are not used. Finally, together with customers and food and drink brand owners, bio-based end-packaging will be demonstrated and validated to ensure fast market deployment. Additionally, in order to ensure 100% of PE and PET recyclability, plastic rejections not optimal for microbial bioconversion into bioplastics will be valorized by their use in building applications instead of be sent to incineration or landfilling. upPE-T will be an important part of the actions for compliance with the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy.

The European plastics policy highlights bio-based plastics as a key piece to solve the negative impact of fossil-based plastics in the environment. One of the most promising biodegradable biopolymers is the polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) family that can replace these fossil-based plastics in many applications. They are synthesised by microorganisms from renewable carbon sources and exhibit good properties and excellent biodegradability. In this sense, ViSS project will create a new value chain around PHBV (a copolymer of the PHAs family) as a safe, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to conventional plastics, especially for short shelf-life food packaging applications due to its excellent properties including flexibility, processability, recyclability and biodegradability in relevant environments (soil, freshwater, marine, industrial composting and home composting). ViSS PHBV will be produced from industrial organic residues and will be formulated and compounded to be transformed and validated as high-performance food packaging, being mechanically recyclable and biodegradable. Moreover, the whole ViSS circular value chain will be constructed upon a collaborative approach and under safe and sustainable criteria, accomplishing EU regulations and ensuring policy alignment, while the project will deliver and disseminate digital tools and resources which will favour an increased social readiness and marketability of bio-based plastics, fostering a ViSS wide adoption and replication. Our project gathers 15 partners from 6 European countries leaders in different fields of knowledge, from bioplastic production to validation in real packaging applications. Adoption of ViSS value chain will produce relevant outcomes as improved functionalities and environmental performances: reduction of 57.8% of CO2 emissions compared to fossil counterparts, yearly saving 11.7 kt of crude oil, recirculating 288.95 kt of biomass, avoiding the use of 2.2 kt of hazardous substances.

Biobased and biodegradable plastics products (BBpPs) are emerging as a key piece to solve the negative impact of fossil-based plastics in the environment. A relevant case where BBpPs can play a key role in avoiding pollution is in single use applications used in humanitarian contexts (such as natural disasters or armed conflicts), where appropriate waste management systems are usually not feasible. Plastic waste, mainly health care & packaging waste, is largely contributing to uncontrolled waste in humanitarian contexts, and addressing their environmental impacts is required. One of the most promising biodegradable biopolymers is the polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) family which offer functionalities, are biocompatible, but also fully biodegradable in relevant environments without causing microplastic pollution. ANIPH will create a new PHA value chain to produce modern wound dressings and recyclable water barrier packaging while being biodegradable in all relevant environments (soil, freshwater, marine). The biodegradation will be programmed during the PHA production, formulation & compounding, and conversion stages. An AI predictive tool and a digital traceability tool will support these aims by predicting the biodegradation, properties, & ecotoxicity, and ensuring the traceability of the materials and products. Moreover, sustainable choices, proper use and safe disposal of BBpPs will be fostered through ANIPH contribution to Information & Labelling Systems and by delivering capacity building resources. Our project gathers eight partners from six European countries leaders in different fields of knowledge, from bioplastic production to end of life assessment. Adoption of ANIPH value chain will produce relevant outcomes: yearly saving 22.43 kt of crude oil thanks to a reduction of 43% and 68% of CO2 emissions compared to packaging and wound dressing respective fossil counterparts, recirculating 1,475 kt of biomass, avoiding the use of 12.93kt of hazardous substances.