Frutalga launches to decarbonize the fruit sector by transforming fruit waste into new bioproducts for cosmetic use

The goal of FRUTALGA is to utilize fruit lost as a production waste in agricultural activities to obtain high-value bioproducts, including products for the cosmetics industry. This research project... industrial, lead by AINIA, which has the participation of ZITHER, AVA-ASAJA, IDiBE and Prospera Biotech.

It's important to remember that food production and consumption systems are responsible for 26% of global CO2 emissions. Developing innovative alternatives to achieve longer carbon cycles by obtaining high-value bioproducts is key to developing a more sustainable and circular bioeconomy. Therefore, FRUTALGA aligns itself with the main objectives set by the European Green Deal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Specifically, the project proposes to develop a An innovative, economically viable decarbonization solution through valorization into new high value-added products through different technologies. These technologies include the mixed cultivation of microalgae and bacteria for biofertilizer products, from nutrients recovered from waste fruit; the pure cultivation of microalgae for cosmetic products, from nutrients from waste fruit; and even processes for obtaining extracts of interest for cosmetic products, from waste fruit and microalgal biomass.

Priority for the European Union

Developing solutions to the problem of food loss and waste - which accounts for 6% of total global greenhouse gas emissions - is a priority for the EU.

FRUTALGA, therefore, represents an alternative and innovative solution inspired by the biorefinery concept to valorize fruit losses generated in the early stages of the supply chain, which account for 22% of the total volume of losses and waste. This solution is especially necessary for the Valencian Community due to its significant role in the Spanish fruit sector.

The FRUTALGA project is financed by the Valencian Innovation Agency with the help of the Comunitat Valenciana European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Program 2021-2027.