ZELDA

Zero-waste Lignocellulose-Derived biorefinery products for smArt plant protection

Project details

Type of project
Research & Innovation Action
Project focus
Crop protection & fertilisation
Feedstock origin
Agri-food waste
Forestry waste
Feedstock type
Crop residues
Lignin & wood residues
Project period
1 September 2025 - 31 August 2029
Status
Upcoming
CBE JU Contribution
€ 5 012 496,90
Call identifier
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2024

Summary

The widespread use of chemical pesticides to protect crops has created significant risks to human health, animal welfare and the environment. Climate change has exacerbated this issue by altering crop-pest dynamics, affecting plant defences, and shifting pest populations. As a result, there is an urgent need for safer, more effective and sustainable pest management alternatives.

ZELDA tackles these challenges by developing a new generation of fully bio-based crop protection alternatives to chemical pesticides sourced from cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.  

The project aims to provide safe and cost-effective bio-based alternatives to chemical pesticides, addressing the need to increase food production by 50% for a growing population, and to cut crop losses from plant diseases, which account for 40% of global food production. 

  • Use wood components such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin sustainably to create safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides.
  • Develop a novel biorefinery process to fully valorise wood and other plant-based materials for sustainable crop protection. Improve the production of oligosaccharides from wood to make it 10 to 20 times more efficient than current methods.
  • Develop an efficient and environmentally friendly mix of wood-based substances to improve plant protection against fungal and bacterial diseases.
  • Demonstrate that products can protect plants from 16 types of fungal and bacterial diseases, including rust, grey mould, and bacterial blight.
  • Use four types of sustainably sourced materials following a method that ensures the efficient use of all biomass components.
  • Ensure that 100% of product formulations are bio-based (from natural, renewable sources).
  • Test the production technology in real-world environments and check the economic viability of the products.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of products on key crops in controlled environments and real field conditions across various EU regions (Austria, Italy, Romania, Spain, the Netherlands).
  • Create a clear framework to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and environmental impact of products, in alignment with EU regulations.
  • Support European farmers transitioning to more sustainable practices by sharing knowledge, understanding their needs, and ensuring that products align with agricultural demands. 

  • Develop a new generation of bio-based crop protection alternatives that reduce product quantity per treatment by 40% compared to current sugar-based solutions, achieve 30-90% prevention effectiveness, and degrade within 48 hours in soil or water.
  • Fully replace chemical pesticides in crop protection treatments.
  • Boost crop productivity by 20% through improved protection methods.
  • Increase soil microbial activity by 30% via the use of bio-based treatments.
  • Transform four supply chains, creating high-value products by using untapped resources from agricultural waste.
  • Reduce environmental impacts by decreasing the effects on aquatic systems by 50% and soil biota by 60%.
  • Improve food safety for both consumers and farmers.
  • Advance the health of farmers and consumers by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals.
  • Generate higher agricultural incomes by promoting innovative and sustainable farming practices.
  • Train skilled professionals in the bio-based sector, including PHDs and post-docs.

Consortium map

Project coordination

  • UNIVERSITE LIBRE DE BRUXELLES Bruxelles / Brussel, Belgium

Consortium

  • CONSORZIO ITALBIOTEC Milano, Italy
  • Aermatica3D srl Colverde, Italy
  • CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES ENERGETICAS MEDIOAMBIENTALES Y TECNOLOGICAS MADRID, Spain
  • BIO BASE EUROPE PILOT PLANT VZW Desteldonk Gent, Belgium
  • CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS Y TECNOLOGICAS DE EXTREMADURA Lobon Badajoz, Spain
  • FVA SAS DI LOUIS FERRINI & C Roma, Italy
  • Eurofins Agroscience Services Regulatory GmbH Niefern Oschelbronn, Germany
  • UNIVERSIDADE DE AVEIRO Aveiro, Portugal
  • KINETON SRL - Societa' benefit Napoli, Italy
  • TIMAC AGRO DUNGEMITTELPRODUKTIONS UND HANDELS GMBH Wien, Austria
  • UNIVERSITAET GRAZ Graz, Austria
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MODENA E REGGIO EMILIA Modena, Italy