BIOWASTE4SP

Turning biowaste into sustainable products: development of appropriate conversion technologies applicable in developing countries

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The project will develop environmentally appropriate and socio-economically sustainable biotechnological processes for converting biodegradable fractions of identified African and Mediterranean agricultural and industrial waste as well as fractions of municipal and animal solid waste into food, feed, value-added products for nutraceuticals and healthcare, biogas and organic based fertilizer. Integrated processes will combine sugar conversion from mainly amylopectins and starchy materials into proteins (for food and feed) with biogas and fertilizer production done in co-digestion of municipal solid waste and manure. Left over sugars from protein production will be used to produce amino acids and lactic acid by bacterial conversion of biowaste to upgrade the fertilizer and for fruit waste storage and food conservation. The technologies to be developed will rely on simple and locally available equipment and naturally occurring microorganisms. Life cycle analysis and socio-economic studies will be undertaken to ensure local applicability in the target countries. The project will contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by improving the management of biowastes in developing countries and thus reducing their potential adverse impacts on human and animal health, the environment and the economy. With partners from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, the project also provides an opportunity for EU researchers and third country partners to network and share experiences and best practices. The involvement of small-and medium sized enterprises will contribute to EU’s industrial competitiveness by exposing them to new markets and new product opportunities from waste utilization. Research activities will be accompanied by proof of concept at SMEs and demonstrations by local communities and NGOs. Exchange of best proactices and knowledge-sharing among project partners will be emphasised'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Africa is the world's second most-populous continent after Asia and has a huge need for energy and feedstock supply. African food and agricultural waste provides an excellent substrate for biorefinery processes for the production of valuable, sustainable products, including biofuel.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The objective of the EU-funded http://www.biowaste4sp.eu (BIOWASTE4SP) project is to covert biowaste from the African food industry and agricultural sectors into sustainable products of food and feed ingredients, bioethanol for transportation, lactic acid for bioplastic, biogas for electricity and organic based fertilizer for healthy plant production. The project aim to improve the circular bioeconomy in Africa.

The technologies used within the project all rely on simple and locally available equipment and naturally occurring microorganisms. Life cycle analysis and socio-economic assessments are carried out throughout whole project period to ensure local applicability in the target countries.

At the end of the project in 2015 BIOWASTE4SP will present its main outcome, a catalogue with 40 identified biowaste feedstock available in the African partner countries Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana and Morocco including their chemical components of sugars (cellulose, hemicellulose and starch) as well as contents of plant nutrients. The catalogue will contain potential yields of bioethanol, biogas, lactic acid, amino acid, protein and fertilizer estimated from laboratory-scale experimental tests.

Several publications are underway including the investigation of the integrated biorefinery of African rice bran for production of value-added malto-dextrins, beta-glucans, proteins and essential oils.

Wider socioeconomic benefits of BIOWASTE4SP work include raising the technological level of Africa, especially with regard to capacity building through education and training in the partner research institutions. This will enable a sustained development of African biowaste to become a valuable resource capable of benefiting society.