FIRST2RUN

Flagship demonstration of an integrated biorefinery for dry crops sustainable exploitation towards biobased materials production

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Project details

Type of project: Innovation Action – Flagship
Project focus: Bio-based chemicals
Feedstock origin: Agri-food waste
Feedstock type: Dedicated crops

Project period: 1 July 2015 - 30 June 2019
Status: Completed
CBE JU Contribution: € 16 995 882,00
Call identifier: H2020-BBI-PPP-2014-1

Summary

FIRST2RUN project demonstrated the environmental sustainability and economic profitability of an integrated biorefinery where low-input and underutilised oil crops grown in arid and marginal lands, without competing with food or feed, were valorised for extracting vegetable oils. These oils were then further converted into bio-based monomers, mainly pelargonic and azelaic acids, serving as building blocks for high-value products such as bio-based lubricants, cosmetics, plastics, and additives through the integration of chemical and biotech processes.

By extracting cardoon seeds oil and converting it to bio-based solutions like lubricants and plastics, Novamont played a crucial role in transforming arid and marginal lands in Sardinia into a platform for sustainable bio-based business.

The project created a sustainable closed-loop system that generated new incomes for local farmers while having no impact on valuable land for food production.

Demonstrate the technological, economic and environmental sustainability at an industrial scale of processing underutilised oil crops (i.e., cardoon) into bio-based monomers and esters that will be further transformed into products, such as bio-based lubricants, cosmetics and plastics.
Valorise by- and co-products for feed products, added-value chemicals and energy.
Certificate and standardise the developed products and processes and facilitate their market penetration and social acceptance.

Developed and validated new prototypes for harvesting cardoon heads, increasing productivity from 0.92 to 2.7 ha/hour.
Demonstrated innovative oilseed treatment techniques yielding vegetable oils, protein-rich meal, and active molecules.
Validated a selective hydrogenation reaction process of vegetable oil at pilot scale, increasing mono unsaturation content to over 75%.
Validated lignocellulosic biomass from cardoon crop for bioenergy production and cardoon protein-rich meal as animal feed.
Estimated reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GWP) and X (NRER) by around 63% and 46%, respectively, compared to the standard value chain.
Validated satellite and drone image methodology for monitoring cardoon fields' conditions and health.
Developed a Soil Organic Matter (SOM) model demonstrating increased SOM with compost application during cultivation.

Contributed to the definition of new business models to diversify business opportunities in the farming context, using the multipurpose circular farm as an example.
Engaged around 170 farmers in training sessions focusing on new oil crops and the application of innovative bio-based products for agriculture from the FIRST2RUN value chain, enhancing their knowledge and skills.
Fostered dialogue with key actors by promoting the FIRST2RUN project and the related biorefinery model at over 150 events, including conferences, workshops, seminars, and exhibitions at national and international levels, reaching more than 9,000 stakeholders.
Promoted the establishment of large-scale cardoon crops, involving approximately 80 farmers, through an agreement with the agriculture organisation Coldiretti.