The Facsa-Fovasa Chair at the UPV analyzes the keys to environmental sustainability in the agri-food sector

The agri-food sector is one of the main drivers of sustainable transformation and, as such, faces significant challenges in order to transform waste into resources. Analyzing these challenges and searching for solutions was the central focus of the conference organized by the Chair. Facsa-Fovasa Water, Waste and Circular Economy of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV).

The Chair's director, Amparo Bes, was in charge of opening the event together with José Claramonte, general director of FacsaAlso participating in the presentation were Ángel Ortiz, director of the Higher Technical School of Industrial Engineering, and Francisco Espinós, director of the UPV Business and Employment Chairs Area.

The first presentations of the day were given by researchers from the university sector and focused on the importance of innovation in environmental sustainability within the industry. This session covered topics as interesting as the separation and purification of phenolic compounds from waste products of olive-derived industries; the recovery of bioactive compounds from waste and effluents from the processing of artichokes and prickly pears; and the valorization of orange juice by-products as a powdered ingredient for use in human food.

Next up was Sergio Girbés. The director of Zabala Innovación Valencia explained to the audience during his presentation the great opportunity that the PERTE Agroalimentario program represents for the sector.

The second part of the day was dedicated to analyzing the future of environmental sustainability for agricultural cooperatives and associations. This session included presentations by Nicolás Juste, from the Production and Development Department of Anecoop, who focused on the valorization of agricultural byproducts, and by Carlos Parrado, head of the Engineering Department of La Unió de Llauradors, who analyzed manure and slurry management.

Furthermore, Javier Donato, director of Sitra, and Eduardo Lobo, R&D Project Manager of Vicky Foods, have presented successful initiatives carried out within their companies in the area of ​​circular economy within the sector.

A round table discussion then took place in which the speakers answered questions from the attendees, in order to foster an enriching debate among those present.

Roger Llanes, the regional secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, was in charge of closing the day with a speech focused on the state and regional strategy being implemented to address the challenges of the Valencian Community in terms of sustainability.