CERNET
biogeniC gasEsous caRbon conversion into high added value chemicals and ingredients through a bio-based NETwork
Project details
- Type of project
- Innovation Action - Demonstration
- Project focus
- Bio-based chemicals
- Feedstock origin
- Biogenic gaseous carbonSidestreams from industry
- Feedstock type
- Food industry sidestreamsIndustrial waste streams
- Project period
- 1 June 2025 - 31 May 2029
- Status
- Upcoming
- CBE JU Contribution
- € 7 498 570,00
- Call identifier
- HORIZON-JU-CBE-2024
Summary
Europe releases over 500 million tonnes of biogenic CO₂ annually, much of which remains unused. Traditional carbon management methods are costly and not yet fully efficient. CERNET explores innovative approaches to capture and reuse these emissions to create valuable products.
The project aims to demonstrate four sustainable, bio-based value chains that transform CO₂ and methane emissions from wineries, waste plants, and bioethanol production of useful chemicals and ingredients to be validated in the cleaning, cosmetics, packaging, and food industries. CERNET will test these four bio-based production chains in three locations—Italy, Bulgaria & Slovenia, and Spain - with further testing in Belgium, Germany, and Spain.
- Develop and scale technologies to convert biogenic CO₂ and CH₄ from industries processing agricultural waste, organic waste and agricultural produce, such as grapes and corn, into sustainable chemicals and ingredients
- Optimise bio-based value chains by integrating renewable energy, green hydrogen, purification systems and advanced processing technologies to improve sustainability and product quality.
- Implement four bio-based value chains across three demonstration sites (Italy, Bulgaria & Slovenia, and Spain) and validate products in the food, cosmetics, packaging and cleaning industries.
- Ensure bio-based value chains are safe, sustainable, and comply with European standards.
- Support market adoption by developing business models, industrial partnerships, and carbon certification strategies to facilitate commercialisation and ensure long-term impact.
- Enable replication by creating a digital decision support system to expand CERNET solutions across Europe, supporting wider adoption through policy engagement and industry collaboration.
- Reduce CO2 emissions by 3.8 tonnes in Europe annually through innovative processes in DEMO1, DEMO2, and DEMO3.
- Create over 30 new jobs in carbon capture and conversion.
- Engage around 100 actors in carbon conversion activities via seven local workshops and two EU-wide workshops.
- Decrease dependence on fossil fuels and food-based feedstocks.
- Promote sustainability and greener production methods.
- Develop scalable technologies to cut GHG emissions in energy, chemical, and pulp industries.
- Raise awareness of technology efficiency, safety, and circularity for future development.
- Generate 16 Key exploitable results in technical, socioeconomic, policy, and academic fields
Consortium map
Project coordination
- FUNDACION CIRCE CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION DE RECURSOS Y CONSUMOS ENERGETICOS Zaragoza, Spain
Consortium
- FUNDACIO UNIVERSITARIA BALMES Vic Barcelona, Spain
- FBCD AS Tjele, Denmark
- DRAXIS RESEARCH VENTURES ASTIKI MI KERDOSKOPIKI ETAIRIA Thessaloniki, Greece
- KEMIJSKI INSTITUT Ljubljana, Slovenia
- BIOMETAGAS LA GALERA SL LA GALERA, Spain
- ACEA PINEROLESE INDUSTRIALE SPA Pinerolo, Italy
- ADM Razgrad EAD Razgrad, Bulgaria
- ADM BAZANCOURT Bazancourt, France
- BODEGA MATARROMERA SL VALBUENA DE DUERO, Spain
- FUNDACION CARTIF Boecillo, Spain
- ACIES BIO BIOTEHNOLOSKE RAZISKAVE IN RAZVOJ DOO Ljubljana, Slovenia
- ENCO SRL Napoli, Italy
- ADM Hamburg Aktiengesellschaft Hamburg, Germany
- BIOFERTILIZANTES CH4, S.L.U Madrid, Spain
- KIVERDI NETHERLANDS BV CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, Netherlands
- PARCO SCIENTIFICO TECNOLOGICO PER LAMBIENTE ENVIRONMENT PARK TORINO SPA Torino, Italy
- NUEVAS TECNOLOGIAS PARA EL DESARROLLO DE PACKAGING Y PRODUCTOS AGROALIMENTARIOS CON COMPONENTE PLASTICA SL Zaragoza, Spain
- STAM SRL Genova Ge, Italy
- BLUENERGY REVOLUTION SCRL Genova, Italy
- PROCTER & GAMBLE SERVICES COMPANY NV Strombeek Bever, Belgium
