BIO4COAT aims to validate at TRL 5 the use of 3 biobased building blocks (1,4-bioBDO, lcDCA, and biomethane) from Novamont’s biorefinery for producing safe and sustainable biobased coating solutions. Two value chains are planned: (1) Novamont will supply first-of-their kind polyester-polyols from 1,4-bioBDO and lcDCA for conversion into polyurethanes by FUNDITEC, to be used to create 1K PUD and 2K PUR in 7 prototypes under the guidance of ICAP-SIRA; (2) Aarhus University will purify biomethane for use by CEMECON in creating DLC coatings via CVD for high-temperature plastic processing tools, validated by LOGOPLASTE. Performance will be tested in terms of surface protection, printability, and controlled release under demanding conditions, with added recyclability, compostability, and no bioaccumulation, across 8 sectors (plastics, hygiene, textiles, agriculture, horticulture, furniture, energy, and construction). CERTH will implement a comprehensive SSbD methodology, guiding the development of biobased coatings with reduce (-20%) GHG emissions, allowing multiple EoL scenarios, and minimizing bioaccumulation risks. Upscaling insights(aligned with the CBE-JU TERRIFIC project), feasibility analyses, and business models will be supported by the University of Padua. KNEIA’s dissemination, exploitation, and communication efforts will maximize the visibility and impact of project outcomes. The analysis and engagement of stakeholder and the clustering activities will be performed at 2 levels: along the overall value chain by KNEIA, and with a focus on technical actors by EUBP which will establish 2 technical working groups with other EU-funded projects. Key impacts are expected in long-term progress in bio-based materials science and engineering, cost savings for industries by 30%, increased biodiversity and environmental health due to reduced pollution and sustainable resource use, expansion of the market for bio-based coatings, and enhanced competitiveness of EU SMEs

B-FERST’s main objective is to integrate the valorisation of bio-wastes in agriculture management plans creating anew circular and bio-based value chains considering a bilateral interaction between farming and fertiliser sectors focused on a paradigm shift in the fertiliser value chain with 8 specialised fertilisers. Specialised nutrient mixes are required to achieve a more sustainable management of resources by tailor-made nutrient dosing adapted to farmer systems. The SUSTAINABILITY of B-FERST is based on the reuse of bio-waste to replace non-renewable, non-domestic and energy intensive raw materials: 1) Bio-based solid fertilisers including renewable sources of macronutrients (N,P,K) obtained from 3 by-products streams: i) ashes, as source of P & K from: Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) (sewage sludges), & agri-food such as: slaughterhouse waste, olive & livestock wastes; ii) struvite as source of P & N from WWTP & agro waste (pig slurries), and; iii) compost as source of organic carbon compound, N, P & K from Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste) OFMSW, WWTP & agro waste (manure -livestock-). 2) Biostimulants for soil nutrient improvement from two approaches: selected microbiological strains as Microbial Plant Biostimulant (MPB) or Non-Microbial Plant Biostimulant (NMPB) from cardoon oil meal processing (agricultural by-products) and compost extracts. Bio-degradable coatings based on biopolymers will be used when MPB is added to the fertiliser products to protect the beneficial microorganisms and guaranty their performance. The VIABILITY is based on previous R&D from other RIA projects. The manufacturing process will be demonstrated at a demonstrative industrial scale. Then specialised fertilisers will be performed and validated in 5 crops tests (Spain, Italy, France, Poland and Ukraine) comparing their functionality to that of traditional fertilisers in terms of: sustainable sourcing, logistics, soil and growing conditions, reaching a TRL6

Bio-based plastics are now seen as an eco-friendly substitute for traditional fossil-based plastics. Interestingly, aside from their environmentally friendly origins and in some cases, their biodegradability, bio-based plastics present a promising market potential for recycling, particularly through chemical depolymerisation. Nevertheless, before recycling, bio-based plastics must first be separated and isolated from other packaging materials. Achieving effective sorting of bio-based plastics presents a challenge in the market, as bio-based plastics require scale to be sorted and to form a circular economy. Yet, they also need circularity as a sustainability selling point to boost their sales. The PROSPER project brings together three bio-based plastic producers (including PLA and AAPE-blend producers), a major brand owner, an EPR scheme/PRO participant, a supplier of AI-sorting technology, a sorting testing center, four waste management companies, a municipality and a specialised consultant. It is supported by the scientific expertise of three research institutions and universities, as well as a policy-oriented non-profit organisation. The project offers a comprehensive approach by developing policy interventions, EPR fee scenarios and quantifying recycling rates and cost benefits associated with these scenarios. It also focuses on demonstrating technical advancements in sorting and recycling at industrial scale inside four real waste management companies. PROSPER will also evaluate the market potential for recycled bio-based plastic products through consumer studies, engagement with companies and PROs, while also assessing the Life Cycle, Social Life Cycle, material circularity indicators and economic business models. The institutionalisation of a system change by the different stakeholders in the bio-based plastics value chain will be crucial in achieving circularity, improving environmental performance and fostering positive impacts in the bio-based economy.

The valorisation of industrial CO2 emissions is a cornerstone in EU strategies for climate change and circular economy. Bio-based Industries (BIs) are perfect candidates to apply this CO2 valorisation, since they could to turn their biorefineries’ emissions into feedstock and close the carbon loop. Nevertheless, there is still a strong need of reliable and cost-efficient CO2 conversion technologies to make it possible. VIVALDI proposes an integrated solution allowing the conversion of biogenic CO2 into added-value organic acids, powered by ground-breaking advances in CO2 purification, electrochemical catalysis, microbiology, synthetic biology, and bioprocess engineering. The solution comprises 4 main steps: 1. CO2 purification/enrichment from industrial streams and electrochemical reduction to formic acid (FA) and methanol (MeOH) using electrochemical reactors and gas diffusion electrodes. 2. Nutrient recovery (NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+) from industrial wastewaters using bioelectrochemical systems. 3. Bioproduction of target organic acids using a microbial platform based on specific engineered yeast strains (P. Pastoris), using as feedstock MeOH/FA/CO2 from step 1 and nutrients from step 2. 4. Industrial validation of the bioproduced organic acids (i.e. efficient downstream processing and on-site industrial validation). VIVALDI will use real gas emissions from 4 key BIs and will focus on the bioproduction of 4 industrially relevant organic acids with different applications and market penetration (LA,SA,IA,3-HP). These acids can re-enter the production process flowchart of biorefineries, thus enhancing the sustainability of their current products or even opening new business possibilities. Moreover, VIVALDI’s feasibility will be confirmed also through an integral sustainability assessment (technical, environmental and socio-economic) to ensure that the proposed solution can be adopted and integrated in any biorefinery.

FRONTSH1P aims at ensuring green and just transition of the Polish Lodzkie Region towards decarbonization and territorial regeneration through demonstration at TRL7 of highly replicable circular systemic models and FRONTSH1P aims is to create a territorial cluster of circular initiatives to accelerate the transition to a more green, resilient economy, able to provide sustainable responses to the need of the involved regions. The proposed model will be implemented and demonstrated in Lodzkie Region, where key territorial partners, and particularly the Regional Institution, the scientific partner, the representative of civil society and Industry Groups, will play a relevant role in promoting, facilitating, and enabling systemics and circular economy at regional scale. The involvement of those relevant actors will allow the promotion of the circular economy and to reach relevant actors, such as municipalities, companies, consumers, and civil society, which will be engaged in a participatory approach to collect needs and perceived constraints. From this activity, the cluster system will identify and define a circular economy strategy, with clear objectives, measurable targets, and a proper monitoring method. Moreover, the cluster will facilitate collaborations and co-operations among relevant actors for boosting circularity. It will mean to: - Identify already available initiatives and policies at local, regional, national, and international level - Create platforms to explore opportunities and to share information, best practices, and successful examples - Activate a strong communication between universities, businesses, and civil society for the technological transfer - Exchange information and experiences with other Regions and Countries The proposal will foresee activities, such as the definition of regulatory instruments aimed at accelerating the transition to a circular economy creating a Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) in which the proposed systemic solution is embedded.