ROBOCOOP-EU

The general objective of ROBOCOOP-EU is the deployment of regional business models for the valorisation of agricultural waste streams. This should lead to the growth of more integrated and complex bio-based industries and production of a wider range of higher-value bio-based products. 

To achieve the general objective, it will be necessary to: 

• optimise the availability and pre-treatment of feedstocks; 

• establish a flexible, resource-efficient, multi-feedstock biorefinery; 

• demonstrate the transformation of the waste streams into sustainable, high-added-value bio-based consumer products using extracts and sub-products obtained from the biorefinery; 

• design and optimise an integrated, sustainable value chain; 

• bring together all relevant actors, including research institutions, technology providers, agricultural cooperatives, regional governments and end users, in such a way as to guarantee the success of the model; 

• define a model for replication of the results for similar waste streams. 

In terms of impact, ROBOCOOP-EU is expected to: 

• integrate primary producers into bio-based systems and improve cooperation between stakeholders in rural areas by deploying replicable, circular regional business models; 

• mobilise agricultural waste to produce added-value bio-based materials and 17 sustainable products – three food formulations, three feed additives, five cosmetic and nutraceutic products, one plasticiser and five fertilisers – through biorefinery processing; 

• identify factors for success as regards contracts, training and capacity building; 

• ensure fair distribution of the benefits through job creation and diversification and revitalisation of the rural economy; 

• avoid greenhouse gas emissions by means of supply chain optimisation; 

• preserve and improve soil quality and fertility; 

• ensure public awareness and market uptake of bio-based solutions.