Sitra is participating in a European project to maximize the value of agri-food waste

The agri-food industry produces 113 million tons of biological waste annually in the European Union alone. This waste contains valuable compounds that can be used in food products, animal feed, and cosmetics, but its true potential has yet to be realized. Approximately 75% of this biological waste ends up in landfills or incinerators, representing a significant waste of resources.

The challenge lies in the complexity of waste valorization due to its mixed nature (organic matter mixed with impurities such as plastic, cardboard, glass, metal, etc.), which hinders its complete and efficient utilization. Specifically, the mixed nature of this waste makes separation difficult due to the technical limitations involved in removing impurities, and logistical difficulties arise, as the dispersion of different stakeholders reduces the cost-benefit ratio of the valorization process.

In this context, the European project MixMatters, led by Ainia and in which [the following] participates, emerges Sitra It presents an innovative, integrated, and versatile solution for the efficient valorization of mixed waste of biological origin, consisting of a modular separation unit and a valorization hub adapted to the type of waste.

Specifically, Sitra He leads the design and construction work of the pretreatment plant, consisting of an unpacking and sorting unit, crushing, separation of seeds and pits, dehydration and identification of generated streams.

This plant will process waste from three sources: the wholesale fruit and vegetable market, greenhouses, and beverage industries. The three types of organic waste to be separated and subsequently recovered are: waste from the fruit and vegetable containers at Mercavalència, waste from greenhouses in Almería, and waste from agri-food industries.

The project aims to prevent 21 tons of CO2 emissions₂ annual amounts will be collected during the demonstration phase. To achieve this, 48 ​​tons of mixed agri-food waste will be separated and recovered throughout the project.

MixMatters is an ambitious four-year project with a budget exceeding 7 million euros, and is co-financed by the Circular Bio-Based Europe (CBE) joint initiative within the framework of the European program for innovation and research 'Horizon Europe 2021-2027' (HE).

Specifically, alongside SITRA, the following will participate in this project: Ainia, Las Naves and Mercavalència, Naturstoff-Technik GmbH, VITO, Technical Research Centre of Finland, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, BIONET, FOOD+I, TECNALIA, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, SITRA, WAGRALIM, FEDACOVA, ENCO, RECYCLEYE, FUNDITEC, University of Almería, Institute for Environmental protection and Sensors, Production, Trade, and Services.