Cartif, Cesefor, Cidaut, ICAMCyL and Itagra promote bioplastics, tire recycling and bioeconomy initiatives for a circular and sustainable economy, in the European week for waste reduction.
Within the framework of the European Week for Waste Reduction, the technology centers of Castilla y León, together with strategic partners, position themselves as leaders in the fight against waste and the promotion of the circular economy. From sustainable bioplastics to advanced recycling of materials and bioeconomy, CARTIF, Cesefor, CIDAUT, ICAMCyL and Itagra develop projects with the collaboration of national and international companies and research centers, positioning themselves as benchmarks in innovation and sustainability.
United Circles: industrial and urban symbiosis for zero waste
Led by CARTIFthe project United Circles project demonstrates how synergies between urban communities and industries can minimize waste generation. In Salamanca, one of its three European demonstrators, work is being done on recycling wastewater to recover nutrients and energy, optimizing the use of resources and reducing CO₂ emissions.
This ambitious project, funded by Horizon Europe, integrates innovative solutions in Spain, Italy and Turkey, promoting more sustainable cities and a decarbonized industry.
BIOVALOR: bioeconomy for the reclamation of marginal land
The Center Cesefor leads BIOVALORa project that promotes bioeconomy through sustainable forest management and the cultivation of aromatic species in marginal lands. These crops allow the production of essential oils and high-value by-products, recovering agroforestry ecosystems and generating employment in depopulated rural areas.
With the incorporation of technological solutions such as crop digitalization and mechanized harvesting, BIOVALOR contributes to the modernization of the agroforestry sector and adaptation to climate change.
ESJARA: waste recovery in the use of rockrose
Also from Ceseforthe project ESJARA project is focused on the development of the rockrose value chain for the production of essential oils. Through the valorization of waste and by-products, this initiative promotes the bioeconomy in rural areas, combining technological innovation with sustainability.
By integrating digitalization and advanced technology, this project improves forest management, promotes circularity and generates new opportunities in rural areas.
MARFIL Network: bioplastics to reduce waste and oil dependence
CIDAUT, in collaboration with AIMPLAS, GAIKER and AITIIP, is promoting the MARFIL Networkwhich promotes the development of innovative bioplastics from renewable sources such as agro-industrial by-products. These materials, designed to be more recyclable and biodegradable, are aimed at key applications in transportation, packaging and agriculture.
With the goal that more than 5% of plastics in Spain should come from renewable sources by 2030, the initiative seeks to transform agro-industrial waste into valuable resources. In addition, it promotes new polymerization techniques to improve the properties of bioplastics, moving towards a more sustainable and competitive sector. This project is also supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation through the Cervera Technological Centers of Excellence 2023 call, financed with funds from the European Union’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
CÍCLICOM: Circularity in complex plastics and composite materials
CIDAUT also leads the CÍCLICOM project, an Innovation Ecosystem that seeks to implement advanced technical solutions for the valorization of composite and complex plastics waste. This project, which has its roots in the successful OSIRIS program, and with the participation of technology centers such as GAIKER , AIMPLAS and Aitex, focuses on viable technologies for recycling materials that are difficult to process, such as complex plastics and electronic waste.
The CÍCLICOM Ecosystem brings together key players in the national productive fabric and offers a technological platform for companies, researchers and SMEs. Connecting capacities for research, training and testing, this project encourages the adoption of circular economy practices in strategic sectors such as construction, automotive and electronics.
BlackCycle: circular economy in the tire industry
ICAMCyL participates as a leading partner in the project BlackCycleproject, a European initiative led by Michelin that transforms end-of-life tires into new tires through advanced recycling processes such as pyrolysis (thermal degradation of a substance in the absence of oxygen).
With a budget of 16 million euros and achievements such as the reduction of CO₂ emissions and the increased use of sustainable materials, this project has received international recognition for its impact on the circular economy.
Purinalis: circular economy and sustainability in slurry management
Itagra joins, with the project Purinalisproject, focused on the evaluation of circular economy models for the sustainable management of pig slurry. This project addresses multiple key aspects to modernize livestock farming and promote its sustainability.
The project promotes extensive livestock farming as the basis for a transition to more modern, efficient and future-oriented livestock farming, ensuring the continuity of existing farms and attracting new farmers.
The Technology Centers of the NODDO Network demonstrate that innovation and collaboration are key to meeting the challenges of sustainability. Their projects advance towards a more circular and environmentally friendly production model, reinforcing Castilla y León’s commitment to the green economy and waste reduction.
In this European Week for Waste Reduction, these initiatives inspire companies, administrations and citizens, showing that a sustainable future is within everyone’s reach.
