FRDK is the association that works for a healthy soil full of life with a focus on high professionalism, biodiversity, zero tillage, conservation agriculture (CA), rain-fed agriculture and strong economy for farmers in Denmark. They promote sharing of knowledge about reduced tillage; both among members and their large network. FRDK supports and promotes research and advisory activities that develop and disseminate reduced tillage methods that improve crop production, the farmer's economy and protect the environment. FRDK works in close collaboration with research, local advisory centers and the agro-industry. Conservation agriculture is one of the most promising climate tools, which FRDK promotes via demonstrations, collaborative projects, research and knowledge dissemination and communication. 
By practicing CA, carbon can be built in the soil but also prevents loss of carbon from the soil. Thus, a report states that 3.6 tons of CO2 per hectare annually can be stored in the soil by using CA practices. Hereby a total climate effect of 2 tons of CO2 equivalents can be achieved per hectare per year. In addition to carbon storage and less carbon loss, CA also reduces nitrous oxide emissions and saves fuel. This means that if 2/3 of the rotation area with rapeseed and cereals is cultivated according to the principles of CA, the climate impact can be reduced in agriculture by 2 million tons of CO2 equivalents per year, corresponding to almost 25% of the total tons that Danish agriculture must reduce its emissions by 2030. In addition, conservation agriculture has several positive effects on soil health, diversity, insects, birds and animals, it minimizes the risk of water and wind erosion and thus the risk of nutrient and particle loss.

The EU Bioeconomy 2018 Strategy highlights the bioeconomy’s role in driving sustainability, competitiveness, and job creation across urban, rural, and coastal regions in Europe. However, many regions are still in the early stages of developing bio-based value chains and need structured approaches to unlock their potential. To support this, MainstreamBIO developed a methodology to help regions assess their bioeconomy landscape by analyzing biomass arisings, flows, value chains, stakeholders, and innovations. This approach has been piloted in Bulgaria, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden, combining desk research with stakeholder interviews for a comprehensive understanding. A standardized data collection template ensures uniform data on biomass availability, pricing, key actors, and innovations. Adapted from Attard et al. (2020), it expands frameworks to include regional stakeholders, technologies, and demonstration projects. Data is visualized using ArcGIS Pro for Biomass Arising Maps, while Sankey diagrams in PowerBI illustrate biomass flows, end-uses, and accessibility constraints. This analysis provides insights into pricing, infrastructure gaps, and innovation needs. By establishing a baseline of regional bioeconomy this approach identifies underutilized biomass, innovation opportunities, and collaboration potential, while fostering cross-regional learning. It equips decision-makers with insights to advance bio-based value chains and growth.

Alcarràs Bioproductors SAT is an inspirational case for those searching advice on organisational and coordination aspects. 15 years ago, 200 farmers from the Spanish town of Alcarràs decided to join forces and create a composting plant in which treat the solid waste of their bovine and porcine cattle. All farmers agreed to invest €1,5M and have backed up the process through all difficulties. Today, the plant produces 27kT of compost and is run mainly on solar electricity and rainwater. Given the success, farmers plan to expand the company by adding an anaerobic digester to produce biogas from liquid manure. They also aim at including a pilot plant in which surrounding agents could try out their bioeconomy initiatives.
The implementation of this project cannot be understood without the social component. Previously existing cooperatives of bovine and porcine farmers were paramount to ensure trust, uniform opinions, and powerful acting will. As a united entity, farmers were more potent in asking for their demands. Treating all manures in the shared plant has put an end to previous individual costs (e.g.: transportation, renting a land for disposal, hiring a waste treatment company,...) and worries (e.g.: where to place the manure, what if the waste treatment company closes/rises its charges,...).
Practical recommendations to join forces:
- Talk regularly to primary producers in your area.
- Share your problems with each other: one can hold the answer to another's problem, or you can share a common problem.
- Create an association to raise awareness about the field and the problems, and to have more impact when searching solutions. Work on trusting your partners.
- Do not fear investing to solve a common problem. Think ahead.

Creation of an innovative technological process including a new autoclave machine, quality monitoring through up-to-date analyzes and digital traceability of the nutritional values for the production of vegetable spread "Veganitsa Markogi", enriched with natural proteins from legumes suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and for people on specific diets (as gluten free, lactose free, low fat etc.). The Agricultural university of Plovdiv Laboratory testing complex is helping with scientific part of the quality analyses of raw and finished products.
An innovative technological process for production of "Veganitsa Markogi" products reduces C footprint, energy and plastics, using digital monitoring and digital traceability of the nutritional values, and enriched with natural proteins from legumes for vegetarian customers. The factory is situated in small village near Stara Zagora. Its employees are mainly from minority groups in the local community. The factory is a rare local alternative for employment in the rural area. Saving traditional hand-labor to save the authentical taste, but modern technology to get high quality, longer shelf life and strictly avoid preservatives. Monitoring via HACCP system for internal quality control. Natural raw materials i.e. vegetable grown under sustainable farming in Bulgaria using traditional homemade recipes with production in jars (95%) and plastic packaging (5%) reduced C footprint by 30% compared to the main competitors due to the implemented innovative technology of gentle sterilization. Social impacts: provides products for people with specific nutrition needs like patients and children and preserves traditional farming practices, traditional foods, community involvement.

Anaerobic digestion is the fermentation process of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Feedstocks are manure, crop residues or any other form of organic matter. The product of anaerobic digestion is biogas (CH4). Biogas needs to be upgraded to be able to use it in our gas network. The biogas can also directly be burned and used as heat or to produce electricity. Anaerobic digestion happens at different levels, from farm to regional levels, to even small scale with kitchen scraps. The technique is widely used and it's even more interesting in recent light, with rising gas and energy prices. The main advantage for farmers is the production of biogas. The digestate (the residual slurry after digestion) is still rich in nutrients and more uniform and can be directly spread onto the field. It can also be separated into a liquid and a solid fraction, so the nutrients can be applied to the field more precise. In case of digestion of manure before application on the field, this results in environmental profits like less greenhouse gas emissions (https://edepot.wur.nl/287471). A recent article in a farmers weekly reviews  costs, benefits and realization of mono digestion of manure in the Netherlands (https://melkvee100plus.nl/financieel/vergisten-dagverse-mest-zeer-interessant/ )

Apadrina un Olivo (Adopt an Olive tree) is an initiative born in 2014 in a village in Aragon, with the aim of recovering abandoned centenary olive trees in an area with a very high rate of depopulation, contributing to the conservation of local biodiversity and the economic revival of the area. The strong rural exodus experienced in Oliete, Teruel (ES) in the last 60 years caused the abandonment of more than 100,000 olive trees. The founders of Apadrina un Olivo saw an opportunity for economic development and conservation for the region, based on both the recovery of the olive grove and the attraction of visitors to the area.
The olive trees are sponsored for a fee of 60 euros, which gives you the right to name the olive tree, follow the recovery process through the farmer in charge, and visit the olive tree whenever you wish. In addition, whoever sponsors an olive tree receives 2 litres of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This payment contributes both to the recovery of the olive grove and to the management of the initiative itself. The recovery of each sponsored olive tree is carried out following a series of steps: pruning and elimination of pruning waste, elimination of ground branches, soil tillage, spontaneous soil cover, soil fertilisation, foliar fertilisation with nettle slurry, ecological pest treatment and irrigation and maintenance.
The initiative has brought benefits in terms of employment generation, rural development and the environment. In the 10 years that the initiative has been running, more than 15,000 olive trees have been recovered, 16 jobs have been created, and visits to the village have increased significantly, reviving the local economy and even preventing the village school from closing! More info at: https://apadrinaunolivo.org/en

• Apadrina un Olivo (Adopt an Olive tree)

ARA Ecorobotix is the only ultra-high precision smart sprayer on the market. Smart spraying for ultra-localized treatments of your row crops, pastures, and lawns - Increase your efficiency while reducing the use of plant protection products. ARA is a high-precision sprayer developed by Ecorobotix that enables ultra-targeted application of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, or fertilizers. ARA is the proven solution for complying with strict environmental regulations and increased farm profitability. Compared to conventional spraying methods, ARA allows you to reduce the use of plant protection products by up to 95% due to the ultra-precise, plant-by-plant spraying technique. ARA enables an increase in profitability of up to 30%, depending on the type of farm, while complying with legislation mandating the use of less and less plant protection products.
ARA is recouped in three/four years with a medium-sized farm, and may also be eligible for subsidies in certain areas. ARA treats a large number of crops with all types of products and can be used throughout the year on different fields. ARA is the most precise field sprayer on the market that enables plant-by-plant spraying (targeting only individual weeds, not crops or soil). The benefits of ultra-high precision plant-by-plant spraying are:
- Reduced phytotoxicity thanks to ultra-high precision spraying - increasing crop yields and improving biodiversity.
- Close-to-the-ground nozzle action and protective covers minimize spray drift. With a working width of 6 meters and a travelling speed of up to 7 km/h, ARA achieves and covers 4+ hectares/hour. The ARA smart sprayer works as well at night as during the day and can cover up to 96 hectares every 24 hours. The sun visors also protect against wind and greatly reduce potential drift. The wide range of crop protection applications allows the use of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides for row crops, vegetable crops, as well as meadows and lawns.

Biochar is a natural key solution for Ireland’s climate goals, locking carbon in soil and supporting biodiversity, soil health, and waste management. Produced via pyrolysis of forestry residues and agricultural waste, it enhances soil fertility, reduces emissions, and supports circular economy principles.

Main Results/Outcomes:
Carbon Sequestration of 2.5–3.3 tons of CO₂ per ton as a permanent carbon sink.
Improving Soil Health: Increasing fertility, water retention, and crop yields, enhancing resilience and biodiversity.
Economic Impact: Reduction of fertilizer costs, creating revenue streams, and scales with mobile pyrolysis systems like in the Biomass to Biochar Project.
Reforestation: Improves soil biodiversity and carbon capture when applied to tree roots.
Practical Recommendations:
-Farmers: Use biochar to improve soil texture, structure and fertiliy, cut fertilizer use, and access carbon credits.
-Biomass Businesses: Invest in mobile pyrolysis for scalable production.
-Foresters: Apply biochar at tree roots to support reforestation.
-Policymakers: Include biochar in carbon funding schemes to drive adoption.
With the ability to sequester up to 3.3 tons of CO₂ per ton, biochar is playing important role for cutting emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050.

Quaterna Activa 500 is a compost starter consisting of natural minerals and selected natural plant composts of the Marcel Mézy Technology. The product improves the efficiency of farmyard fertilizers. Activates a rapid biological conversion of slurry and manure into humus and is approved for organic farming according to CEE 834/2007.
Quaterna Activa 500 is a composting additive resulting in manure and slurry quickly becoming humanized and hereby improves their fertilizing effect. The mineral elements from the manure are bound to clay-humus complexes and then released to these when the plant needs them. Gaseous losses and washout losses are reduced. The plants can be nourished over the entire period according to need and in a balanced way.
The product has shown positive effects for breeders and animals (poultry and pigs) by improving the stable climate (less ammonia, less odor) and drier bedding. Quaterna treatment in pig stables also has the potential to improve daily growth, due to less feed intake and hereby reducing costs for fattening due to improved housing conditions. The product can also contribute to a better economy and improved crop production by creating better nutrient availability for the plant, replacement of mineral fertilizers and other additives and optimizing nitrogen availability. Manure treated with Quaterna is significantly drier and composts better and significant fungal growth can be recognized. A drier manure means less fluid loss and thus fewer nutrients are washed out. Quaterna treated manure has less ammonia odor. NH3 levels in the house air are especially important for chickens as they develop health problems if ammonia levels are too high and their quality decreases accordingly.  

The BioRural toolkit is an online platform serving as a repository of bio-based solutions, providing access to the knowledge collected during the project. The toolkit also enables interaction between registered stakeholders, providing room for communication, exchange of experiences and knowledge, and seeking cooperation in selected areas of the bioeconomy.
The toolkit consists of nine sections:
Geoportal presenting the potentials of the most popular biomass types in Europe and the location of registered users.
Factsheets aiming to provide detailed information on specific bioeconomy topics and their status in a quick and easily digestible way for all stakeholders.
Bioeconomy inventories aiming to provide stakeholders with an easily searchable database/repository of rural bioeconomy research results (papers and projects), commercial bio-based solutions and funding opportunities.
Success stories providing an easily accessible overview of each success story, showcasing their innovations and factors that drove their development.
Online Tutorials disseminating knowledge on bio-based solutions from five EU online workshops with five different bioeconomy themes (food & agriculture, forestry & natural habitat, aquatic & water systems, bioenergy, biomaterials)  
Bioeconomy ideas presenting the best innovative biotechnology ideas selected during the project activities.
Practice abstracts providing the inventory of practice abstracts prepared by the project partners and divided into the five categories of bioeconomy themes. 
Business Blueprints offering business blueprints for rural development in each bioeconomy theme.
Policy and Research guidelines on the development of rural circular bioeconomy. 

Cass Materials' packaging foam, Löven Foams, made from cellulose derived from forestry and agricultural side streams, is an environmentally friendly alternative to foams made from fossil-based raw materials. The packaging foam is lightweight, has strong mechanical properties, and is both compostable and recyclable, thus contributing to a circular economy and reduced environmental pollution.

Although the technology is new, the equipment and resources used are commercially available. Furthermore, it has been shown to be possible to use various types of cellulose as raw material in the foam production. By sharing information about the technology, there is the potential to produce foam packaging near where it will be used, which can reduce emissions from long-distance transportation of the packaging.

The technology is evaluated via a techno-economic analysis, which shows that the technology is feasible in industrial scale. Additionally, the life cycle assessment indicates that Cass Materials' packaging foam has a lower carbon footprint than the fossil-based insulation foams currently on the market.

Overall, this makes the technology a promising product to sell to and implement with forestry and agricultural producers to create value from their side streams. 
 

• Cass Materials

Are you in the research field, biotechnology, or involved in developing sustainable products at technical universities or companies? Do you understand the importance of preserving the quality of your biomass throughout the processing phase? At Insect Protein ApS, we recognize the significance of gentle freeze-drying. With over 6 years of continuous experience in freeze-drying a wide array of biomass - from enzymes and insects to milk, oils, meat, vegetables, and even various species of seaweed and algae - we offer our expertise and equipment to companies and research institutions looking to enhance the quality of their dried products. Freeze-drying is known to be one of the most effective methods to preserve nutrients, structure, and flavor in biomass. It's an ideal solution for comparing the efficiency of different drying methods, and our service enables you to accurately analyze and document the differences.
We can handle your biomass with utmost care. We provide not only our equipment but also our expertise to companies that may not have access to the necessary resources. With a well-functioning logistical setup and Danish food safety approval, we ensure hassle-free transportation and handling of your biomass to and from our facilities.
Our mission is to support sustainable research and development by offering tailored freeze-drying solutions. By choosing Insect Protein ApS as your partner, you gain not just access to cutting-edge freeze-drying technology, but also a team of dedicated specialists ready to support your project.
Are you ready to explore how freeze-drying can improve the quality of your research? Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your goals. 

Entrecabritos is an agroecological initiative based in Teruel that performs sustainable, extensive goat farming adapted to the region's mountainous, semi-arid landscapes. They sell ready-to-eat goat meat, cold cuts and cheese, preserve local goat breeds and enhance the resilience of rural communities.
Main outcomes:
1.        Through regenerative grazing practices, this project improves soil health and water retention, reduces wildfire risks, combats erosion, and mitigates the effects of desertification.
2.        Apart from producing a range of goat-based products, they offer visits to the farm (lunch included) and the nearby wilderness. Since the Spanish market typically consumes goat meat only in the Christmas period, these activities provide them stable income opportunities.
3.        Entrecabritos aligns with the EU Green Deal's goals, showcasing a replicable model of sustainable livestock farming that can be scaled across Mediterranean regions facing similar environmental and socioeconomic challenges.
Practical recommendations:
- Identify which seasons are less profitable in your business. Then, evaluate which natural resources are available in that period, and brainstorm related activities that you could perform without an initially high investment. Keep in mind your clients' background (urban, rural, age bracket, tax bracket, etc.).
- Survey your clients about what they miss and map their responses with the brainstormed activities to find which of those are more likely to be well-accepted.
- Understand how your clients currently learn about you and evaluate if those channels are suitable for the new activity.

Starting in 2021, the founders of Grounded have been developing innovative solutions within the circular economy and scaling up our operations. Their extensive research on new sustainable materials has provided a foundation for selecting ingredients and developing materials for future biodegradable and compostable products. The project “From coffee waste to coffee cup” aims to transform the waste material from the coffee industry, coffee grounds, into 100% naturally compostable disposable coffee cups. This initiative represents an innovative approach to sustainability where waste becomes a resource.
The overall goal of the project is to create an efficient and sustainable solution for handling the coffee industry's waste while producing functional and environmentally friendly disposable cups. This helps reduce the consumption of virgin materials, such as plastic and paper, and promotes a circular economy. Furthermore, the project aims to demonstrate the potential of using natural resources to create valuable products and nourish the soil. 
Grounded specializes in turning coffee grounds into 100% naturally compostable disposable coffee cups. Made from a blend of 50% coffee grounds and 50% bioplastic, these cups are designed to last a full day without getting soggy. A key feature of these cups is their ability to decompose under natural conditions in about four months, where they act as fertilizer and nutrients for the soil and plants.
 

• Grounded Cups

Hamsa Herbs is a small, family-owned herb farm situated in the beautiful and biodiverse Sredna Gora mountains of Central Bulgaria. The mission of this organically certified farm is to grow and produce local, handcrafted herbals, and provide a fairly-produced, high-quality, tasty products. The herbs are organically cultivated and certified, and responsibly wild-harvested in a natural environment. Farm and Harvest Practice: Refrain from using any pesticides, herbicides, fungicides (including those that are allowed in organic farming), and artificial fertilizers, means that the farm is looking knowledge and know-how based cost-efficient practices on e.g. nutrient recycling, waste biomass valorisation, renewable energy production and use, biological agricultural inputs (bio-fertilisers, bio-pesticides), biorefining, etc. Promote local plant and insect biodiversity, recognize the complex relationships between various species and restore healthy plant communities helps to mitigate the impact of extreme temperature and water fluctuations, counter pest damage, and foster beneficial interactions between herbs and organisms.Rather than growing large areas of the same herb species, the farm focusses on cultivating smaller plots with a variety of different species. The farm follows the WHO’s guidance on Good Agricultural and Collection Practices for medicinal plants (GACP). It uses 100 % compostable tea packaging, and re-useable glass, food grade plastic only for storing bulk herbs and tea mixtures.Social tools to address e.g. rural development of Less-Favoured Areas. Every year the farm welcomes volunteers from around the world to stay and work and learn about the entire process of growing herbs,harvest and processing.

Wool, an undervalued byproduct of sheep farming, offers significant economic and environmental benefits. Projects like The Wool Hub and Wise Wool Project are transforming wool into sustainable insulation, compostable textiles, and fertilizers. Combining wool washing with anaerobic digestion (AD) systems boosts efficiency by turning waste into energy and valuable fibers. Ireland produces over 7 million kg of wool annually, often sold at just 5–20 cents/kg despite shearing costs exceeding €2 per sheep. Repurposing 25% of this wool could generate €15 million annually, supporting farmers and sustainability goals.

Main Results/Outcomes:

AD systems produce clean fibers, biogas, and nutrient-rich digestate.
New markets for insulation, compostable textiles, and fertilizers.
Reduced methane emissions and improved water quality.
Higher income for farmers through wool-based products.
Main Practical Recommendations:
-Train farmers on wool research innovations.
-Use AD systems with funding support.
-Collaborate with research and industry for tailored solutions.
-Promote wool through cooperatives and innovation hubs.
-Access funding from Ireland’s Bioeconomy Action Plan and EU programs.
Innovative wool projects reduce waste, lower emissions, and create sustainable income, making wool a cornerstone of Ireland’s bioeconomy

HTL (hydrothermal liquefaction) is a hydrothermal process that transforms wet biomass, with high pressure and temperature, to mainly liquid. Oil is the main product from HTL, but small amounts of gas and solid phase (carbon) are also formed.
With HTL biomasses such as sawdust, bark and sludges are converted into a liquid oil that in many respects resembles fossil crude oil.  The desired properties can be obtained by adjusting process parameters (catalyst, pressure, temperature and time). Biomass with high moisture content is not cost efficient to process by conventional technologies. HTL however can tolerate huge amounts of water thus it eliminates the costly dewatering step. Since a majority of residual materials from forests and agriculture are possible to use for HTL, a large raw material base is provided, both on regional, national and international level. Techno-economic analysis indicates economic potential for cases where bio sludge and fiber sludge from pulp mills are converted to bio oil, and then used as energy source in the mills, replacing fossil fuels. Also, integrating pulp mills and HPP (High Pressure Processing) has shown possible synergies when fuel handling and disposal of process water can be coordinated. 
Production of fuel oil or propellant from these bio based side streams enables new business models that broaden the economic efficiency of biorefineries. RISE Processum has a state-of-the-art HTL pilot facility from batch mode to continuous mode which has capacity to produce 1 kg oil/day. Work is underway to increase the capacity.
So far bio oil have been produced from mainly different types of forest industrial waste sludges but the basic technique is the same for any biomass.

Insignes Labs offers products that support the natural immunity of plants. Their mission is to develop effective, environmentally friendly solutions that work across a range of crops and regions, providing tools for sustainable crop protection. The products support nature's own defence mechanisms to help protect plants from stress and pests. Products based on PURE technology can be used alone or in combination with other preparations, such as plant protection products, fertilizers and biostimulants, as part of integrated protection programs. These products have undergone detailed tests to ensure ecotoxicological safety. PURE technology proves that plant protection does not have to rely on the use of synthetic agents to be effective, and that the right product choices can increase yields without harming the environment. The PURE production process is optimized to minimize waste and carbon footprint. This technology significantly reduces GHG emissions and has a very low global warming potential (GWP). The main products offered by the company are: 
PURE ONE activates the physiological and production processes of plants, strengthens the natural resistance of plants to changing weather conditions and pathogens, which improves the quantity and quality of the obtained crop. Microelement supplementation boosts the nitrogen management in plants, and thus the height and quality of the crop.
PURE FRUIT guarantees the continuity of the vegetation process by minimizing the effects of stress, helps increase flowering and fruit setting, increases the efficiency of nutrient use, and improves crop productivity. PURE FRUIT is recommended for the cultivation of fruit trees, berry plants and vegetables, as well as grain, rapeseed, rice and vines. 

The fertilization plan is the most important tool for managing NPK - essential nutrients in crop production. Developed in accordance with the principles of good agricultural practice, it takes into account the achievement of optimal plant yield and the reduction of the fertilization impact on the environment. In modern agriculture, advisory software is used to prepare a fertilization plan, supported by analyses of the content of NPK nutrients in the soil.
The INTER-NAW application is designed for planning fertilization of field crops with NPKMg and soil liming. Fertilizer rates are determined by the field surface balance method. The information necessary for the calculation includes crop species, expected yield, forecrop species, information on the management of by-products (harvesting/ploughing), type of manure, organic, and nutrient recycling fertilizers used, their rates and nutrient content, current soil nutrient content, and pH. Based on that information, the application determines the nutrient needs of the plant and the amount of NPK available from sources other than mineral fertilizers at a site and then calculates how many nutrients should be used in fertilizers. The use of an appropriate correction factor allows you to adjust the rates of fertilizers to the abundance of nutrients in the soil. The application allows calculating the amount of manure produced on the farm along with the NPK content, based on information about the animal stock density and its keeping. The free INTER-NAW application is used in the Polish agricultural advisory system and made available by the National Chemical and Agricultural Station at www.schr.gov.pl.

• National Chemical and Agricultural Station

Ireland’s natural lignocellulose resources, grass and wood, are being transformed through projects like Rural BioRefineries and NXTGENWOOD. These initiatives transition traditional materials into high-value biobased applications, fostering sustainability and creating income opportunities for farmers, foresters, and stakeholders. Grass is processed into feed, biomethane, bio-based proteins, and biofertilisers, while wood supports next-generation materials with enhanced economic returns.

Main Results/Outcomes:

Biotechnologies developed for processing grass into feed, bioplastics, and bioactive compounds, and wood into sustainable materials and chemicals.
Ireland’s first grass biorefinery established, fostering collaboration among universities, foresters, and industries.
NXTGENWOOD promotes eco-friendly bioprocesses for next-generation wood products, enhancing climate resilience.
Socio-economic benefits include increased returns for farmers and reduced carbon footprints.
Main Practical Recommendations:
-Engage with bio-based hubs to supply raw materials like grass and wood.
-Invest in small-scale green biorefineries and advanced wood processing to diversify income and adopt sustainable practices.
-Use funding from Ireland’s Bioeconomy Action Plan to implement technologies that reduce emissions and increase profitability.
-Partner with researchers to explore sustainable alternatives to fossil-based products.
These actions unlock value from natural resources, ensuring growth and sustainability aligned with Ireland’s bioeconomy goals.

Mas La Llum is a pioneering eco-social project located in Aragon, Spain, focused on sustainable rural living, renewable energy and community education and training. This initiative is centered on a fully self-sufficient straw bale house that serves as a multifunctional space for ecotourism, environmental education and sustainable agriculture. Its owners advise other initiatives in the design and implementation of their bioconstruction projects.
Main outcomes:
1. Mas La Llum integrates passive solar design and rainwater harvesting, creating a carbon-neutral living model that minimizes resource consumption.
2. The project promotes biodiversity, soil health and resilience within the local ecosystem through permaculture gardens.
3. By demonstrating a holistic approach to rural sustainability, Mas La Llum aligns with EU goals for climate action, rural revitalization, and sustainable land management, offering a replicable framework for eco-social development in rural Europe.
Practical recommendations:
- Rely on bioconstruction as a real alternative to conventional construction in both new construction and renovation projects.
- Consider the energetic and economic benefits of bioconstruction with respect to conventional construction.
- Capitalize on practical examples of bioconstruction by complementing them with awareness-raising activities on climate-smart practices and sustainable living principles, attracting wealth to rural areas.

The model biofarm is located on the land of Topolovo village, Madjarovo municipality, Haskovo region. It has been certified since 2008 and is used for demonstrations of organic farming practices and training in organic farming. It played a key role in the "New Thracian Gold" project, implemented by the Dutch Foundations Ark and Avalon, aimed to support the Eastern Rhodope region of Bulgaria by combining organic farming, natural grazing and ecotourism.
The resource saving and circular methods applied in biofarm concerns organic crop growing, including no use chemical Plant Protection Products (PPPs) and mineral fertilizers to nourish the soil, no use of GMOs, improves soil fertility with composted manure and legumes, recycles organic waste, maintains a greater diversity of plant species and varieties providing for plants' protection from disease and insect attacks (nests of natural enemies of the pests e.g. ladybugs, lacewings, predatory mites), use of resistant varieties are used to prevent disease and compete with weeds.
It is combined with organic animal husbandry, including feding with own certified forrage, recycling the animal manure through compositing with California worms and apply these in organic horticulture to obtain sustainable yields. The animals are fed on natural pastures providing expression of their natural behavior, stress is minimal and meat and milk quality is higher. The farmer raises rare local breeds such as Krakachan sheep and Rhodopi shorthorn cattle to preserve regional genetic diversity. The breeds are resistant to local agroecological conditions, utilise the natural meadows and the residual biomass from hay and straw, produce milk and meat for stable income and provide manure for fertilisation.

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) reduces emissions and fosters sustainable farming in Ireland by converting organic matter like manure and food waste into biogas (renewable energy) and digestate (fertilizer). This dual benefit supports renewable energy production and waste management. Under the MainstreamBIO innovation service, it shows that small AD systems for under 400 cows are unviable in Ireland’s cooler climate. However, tailored feedstock "recipes" using food waste, silage, and municipal waste boost biogas yields while addressing waste challenges. AD could meet 10% of Ireland’s 2030 agricultural emissions reduction target.

Key Benefits:

Reduces greenhouse gas emissions through controlled waste digestion.
Digestate improves soil fertility, reduces runoff, and lowers synthetic fertilizer use.
Diverse feedstocks enhance biogas yields and energy production.
Practical Recommendations:
-Adopt cooperative AD systems to share costs and benefits.
-Use diverse feedstocks like manure, silage, and food waste.
-Secure funding via Ireland’s Biomethane Strategy and grants.
-Engage communities to build acceptance and address concerns.
AD helps Irish farmers reduce emissions, improve profitability, and support climate goals, positioning it as a cornerstone of sustainable farming.

PLANTEO Organic fertilizer (Zielone Suszarnie company) is made from a solid fraction of digestate, produced during methane fermentation of agricultural and food waste in biogas plants. The main input for anaerobic digestion is waste biomass such as fruits and vegetables unsuitable for consumption and processing, apple pomace, waste from fruit and vegetable processing, distillery stock, beet pulp, and corn silage. The solid fraction of digestate is dried and pelletized, creating a versatile product that can be used in both agriculture and home gardening. The liquid fraction is purified and conditioned to create liquid organic fertilizer. Because plant biomass and food waste are the main substrates of the process, the final product is an eco-friendly solution and is accepted in organic farming. The PLANTEO Pellets production process is conducted using renewable energy which makes it carbon-neutral.The fertilizer, made from 100% plant-based biomass, is rich in organic matter (over 80%), and macro- and microelements. Using this kind of fertilizer has a positive environmental effect, supports healthy plant growth, delivers high-quality, safer, and nutritious crops, improves soil quality, increases soil organic matter, and stimulates biodiversity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and introducing cultivated land long-term sustainability. PLANTEO Organic fertilizer use in agriculture reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, which often have a high carbon footprint due to energy-intensive production processes. By using agricultural residues and food waste as feedstock, the process creates a closed-loop nutrient system, and minimizes waste, transforming it into valuable organic fertilizers and energy.

Single-cell protein (SCP) is a high-protein biomass derived from microorganisms like yeast, fungi, algae, and bacteria. Produced on unconventional substrates such as agricultural residues, food waste, and industrial byproducts, SCP offers a sustainable, efficient, and versatile alternative to traditional protein sources.

With its rapid growth rate and minimal resource requirements, SCP has significant advantages. It provides complete nutrition, uses less land and water, and supports circular economies by converting waste into valuable protein. SCP can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing gases like methane and carbon dioxide as substrates.

For farmers, SCP offers affordable animal feed, waste management solutions, and opportunities to diversify income by converting agricultural residues into protein. Entrepreneurs can tap into this growing market by developing SCP-based foods, animal feeds, and waste-to-protein technologies. Innovations in fermentation and bioreactor design further enhance its scalability and efficiency.

Despite challenges like public perception, regulatory hurdles, and scaling issues, SCP's potential is vast. It addresses global food security, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience. As awareness and technology advance, SCP could become a cornerstone of sustainable food systems, benefiting both producers and consumers while mitigating climate change and reducing waste.

Steam explosion is a physico-chemical treatment for biomass conversion, involving short-time steam cooking at high temperature and pressure, followed by explosive decompression. This process opens fiber structures without extensive polymer degradation, improving biomass recovery, making it more suitable for processes like hydrolysis or fermentation. Benefits include low environmental impact, low capital investment, reduced use of hazardous chemicals, high yield, and suitability for large-scale operations.

This technique is typically used on lignocellulosic biomass, but it has also  been shown to have a great effect on the inner structure of feathers and the obtained keratin, enabling a greater exploitation of feather waste. It enhances keratin recovery and reduces environmental impact compared to chemical hydrolysis.

The European poultry sector generates 3.6 million tonnes of waste feathers each year, of which only around 25% are collected separately and valorised. This and other waste streams could be utilised more with the steam explosion technology. The keratin obtained from feathers has for example been tested as an additive to different biodegradable plastics to enhance the biodegradability in applications as seed trays, mulch films and hydroponic foams.

RISE Processum has a Thermochemical Pre-treatment testbed that consists of a reactor and an expansion vessel. The reactor has a volume of 40 liters and can withstand a pressure of approximately 30 bar, a maximum temperature of 225°C, and a wide pH range. This test bed can be used for any type of biomass, as for example wood chips, wheat straw, corn stalks, cacao beans etc and is open for others to try their ideas on.

In the Netherlands, there is an excess of manure from livestock: an average Dutch pig farm has 1671 adult pigs which produce 900 tonnes/year of wet manure. This manure contains nutrients of potential value, due to growing interest in the circularity of resources these nutrients are being considered for upcycling. Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae offer an opportunity to close the loop on agri-food chains by converting waste streams (manure) into insect biomass and frass (organic fertilizer).

Main results: Information on legality of cultivation on manure: currently it is not yet legal to raise BSF larvae on any kind of animal manure. A report on the potential profitability of BSF cultivation on pig manure under a variety of assumptions (base case/Monte Carlo approach). The process was profitable under some circumstances and key parameters which influence profitability include cost price of starter larvae, the margin of dried/live larvae, and the productivity of larvae biomass. Estimate of BSF production from an average Dutch pig farm: 90 tonnes/year of live BSF larvae resulting in 25 tonne/year of dried biomass and 170 tonnes/year of frass.  

Practical recommendations: Selling live larvae is more profitable than dried larvae. If possible at the farm level, breeding your own starter level would increase profitability. BSF processes could offer diversity to farmers income and increase the sustainability of their business. Search for pilot opportunities and continued research on safety of BSF larvae on manure for possible legislation changes.

The province of Flevoland in the Netherlands produces large quantities of vegetable crops, however a small fraction cannot be sold because of supermarket requirements based on their shape or size. This desk based study looked into the conversion of these streams for the production of vinegar. Several crops were considered as feed stock including carrots, onions, potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, pumpkin, cabbage, apples, pears and beetroot. Ultimately beetroot was selected for further analysis due to its relatively high sugar content, production volume and lack of existing valorisation opportunities. Information on quantity and quality of a red beet stream was supplied by the organic vegetable growing company Van Andel Bio. The sugar from the beetroot would be converted to vinegar by a two stage fermentation (sugar-ethanol-acetic acid). Market trends favoured high quality vinegars, with consumer preferences for products that are premium and gourmet. Other creative product applications included production of chutney, salad dressing and pickling.

Main results: suitability assessment/flowchart of crops for vinegar production, estimate of vinegar production volume, consumer preferences and trends, information on laws and regulations in the vinegar market. Additional sugar needs to be added to beetroot to achieve sufficient acetic acid percentage. Beetroot vinegar may have an earthy taste.

Practical recommendations: case study on how to identify suitable product streams to use as a feedstock for value added products (vinegar), use remaining solid waste (that is safe) as animal feed. 

Organic pumpkin cultivation in the Netherlands (Van de Weerd Pompoenen) results in around 1000 tons/year of rejected pumpkins, which are currently sold as cattle feed which gives low economic benefit to the biomass producer. This project investigated an alternative value added pathway where is it used as a feedstock for brewing pumpkin beer (Brouwerij Artemis).

Main results: The project produced a business plan (value chain, organisation), information on pumpkin supply (quality, amount, cost), the brewing process (ingredients, recipe, costs) and the Dutch beer market. Three types of prospective customers were identified: beer enthusiasts,  environmentally conscious customers and locally focused customers. Increased profitability of residue stream for pumpkin producer, however pumpkin beer is less profitable than traditional beer production. Pumpkin only accounts for 20% of pumpkin beer recipe. Pumpkins for beer brewing would result in additional processing steps (cutting, roasting) requiring a 3rd party (e.g. Groeneproductie Flevoland).

Practical recommendations: For consideration during scale up a risk and profit sharing agreement should be introduced for the stake holders. Ensure compatibility (timing and quantity) between raw material supply and production capabilities: pumpkin beer is a seasonal product (mainly autumn) while pumpkin residual flow is spread across the year, supply of pumpkin greatly exceeds the production capabilities of a smaller local brewery (multiple local breweries required to process the full amount). 

Miscanthus, a fast-growing and resilient perennial grass, has emerged as a versatile and sustainable resource with immense potential across multiple industries. Its ability to thrive on marginal land with minimal inputs makes it an attractive option for addressing environmental challenges and reducing reliance on fossil-based and non-renewable materials.
The unique properties of miscanthus make it suitable for a variety of applications. As a bioenergy crop, it offers a renewable and carbon-efficient alternative to traditional fuels, contributing to the global transition to cleaner energy. Its high absorbency and antimicrobial qualities position it as an ideal material for animal bedding, providing a sustainable substitute for straw. In horticulture, miscanthus fibers are increasingly recognized as an ingredient in peat-free growing medium, supporting regenerative agricultural practices and reducing the depletion of natural peat bogs.
Beyond these uses, miscanthus is gaining attention as a raw material for innovative packaging solutions, offering biodegradable and compostable alternatives to plastic. In the construction sector, it serves as a durable and lightweight material for building materials, promoting greener practices in the industry.
The potential of miscanthus lies not only in its versatility but also in its ability to support a circular economy. By integrating miscanthus into supply chains, industries can reduce carbon emissions, minimize waste, and promote sustainable land use. As research and development continue to expand its applications, miscanthus holds promise as a cornerstone of future sustainable development.

The EU Green Deal and the EU F2F Strategy require novel approaches by primary biomass producers. Smart Farming solutions are a global trend. Decision Support Systems (DSS) are ever relying on AI and precision agriculture tools employing remote sensing of environmental conditions and combining them with prediction models. The company BeVine provides such technology for grape- and wine-growers that may achieve 20% spraying saving, 90% accuracy of disease prediction models, and 30% savings on scouting expenses. BeVine collaborates with the Agricultural University in Plovdiv (AUP) using its scientific resources and infrastructure of universities to compile a novel DSS for winegrowers who want to optimize their production costs and get quality yield. This collaboration is included in the Bulgarian MIP and will continue to a) provide the DSS to grape- and wine-farmers, b) execute capacity building through training courses and c) teach students and researchers. It creates a network of cooperation between the agricultural sector, digital technology professionals, and scientists thus demonstrating in practice the Quadruple Helix concept. The remote access and daily monitoring of thousands of acres of strategic crops such as grapes is entirely feasible. Farmers are provided with the opportunity to “test before invest,” and receive a "tailor-made" expert advice on their individual functionality of technological solutions. The collaboration with experts who possess extensive experience in agronomy and a well-equipped university base are essential for collecting useful data and conducting innovative research in this field. The climate monitoring stations are being installed in the experimental grape yards of the AUP. Researchers from the AUP will conduct demonstrations to help interested farmers familiarize themselves with the functionality of the intelligent vineyard management software, which facilitates remote monitoring and smart grape cultivation.