Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU)’s Post

** Turning Food Waste into Fungal Defense: A Win-Win for Sustainability!** "Natural preservation strategies: The potential of bioactive compounds from fruit and vegetable waste to reduce postharvest losses" In this study, we explored how bioactive compounds from fruit and vegetable waste, materials usually discarded, can be repurposed as natural antifungal agents to extend shelf life and reduce food losses. Why it matters: ✅Tackles both food waste and postharvest losses simultaneously. ✅ Promotes sustainable and circular solutions for agriculture and food systems. ✅Opens the door to eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic preservatives. I’m incredibly grateful to my co-authors and collaborators for their contributions and discussions throughout this project. 🙏 I warmly invite colleagues, researchers, and industry professionals interested in #sustainability, #foodsecurity, and #biobasedinnovations to read the full article and share your thoughts. https://lnkd.in/d4pr2hTe Let’s keep pushing for #smarter, #greener ways to make our food systems more #resilient 🌱

🌱 Unlocking Soil Health with Organic Solutions: The Power of Spent Wash 🌱 As agriculture faces the twin challenges of soil degradation and climate change, sustainable soil management has never been more important. One innovative, eco-friendly solution gaining traction is the use of spent wash (vinasse) — a nutrient-rich byproduct from the sugar and ethanol industry. 🔬 Chemistry of Spent Wash: Spent wash is packed with organic compounds like sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose), organic acids (acetic, citric, lactic acids), and essential macro- and micronutrients such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, iron, and zinc. Its high organic matter (up to 65%) and soluble bases significantly enrich soil ecosystems. ⚙️ Mechanisms Enhancing Soil Health: Boosts Soil Organic Carbon: Improves soil structure, fertility, and water-holding capacity. Enhances Microbial Activity: Supports beneficial soil microbes, essential for nutrient cycling and plant health. Improves Cation Exchange Capacity: Enhances nutrient retention and availability for crops. Stabilizes Soil Structure: Promotes soil aggregation, better aeration, and root penetration. Mitigates Heavy Metals and Sodicity: Reduces soil toxicity, supports phytoremediation, and restores degraded soils. 🌍 Sustainability Impact: By replacing or complementing chemical fertilizers, spent wash helps lower environmental pollution, improve crop yields, and foster a circular economy — turning waste into a valuable resource.

🌱 Unlocking Soil Health with Organic Solutions: The Power of Spent Wash 🌱 As agriculture faces the twin challenges of soil degradation and climate change, sustainable soil management has never been more important. One innovative, eco-friendly solution gaining traction is the use of spent wash (vinasse) — a nutrient-rich byproduct from the sugar and ethanol industry. 🔬 Chemistry of Spent Wash: Spent wash is packed with organic compounds like sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose), organic acids (acetic, citric, lactic acids), and essential macro- and micronutrients such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, iron, and zinc. Its high organic matter (up to 65%) and soluble bases significantly enrich soil ecosystems. ⚙️ Mechanisms Enhancing Soil Health: Boosts Soil Organic Carbon: Improves soil structure, fertility, and water-holding capacity. Enhances Microbial Activity: Supports beneficial soil microbes, essential for nutrient cycling and plant health. Improves Cation Exchange Capacity: Enhances nutrient retention and availability for crops. Stabilizes Soil Structure: Promotes soil aggregation, better aeration, and root penetration. Mitigates Heavy Metals and Sodicity: Reduces soil toxicity, supports phytoremediation, and restores degraded soils. 🌍 Sustainability Impact: By replacing or complementing chemical fertilizers, spent wash helps lower environmental pollution, improve crop yields, and foster a circular economy — turning waste into a valuable resource.

TTC AgriS, a major Vietnamese agricultural company, and BADP Korea, specializing in biodegradable plastics, signed a strategic MOU in Ho Chi Minh City. The partnership aims to create a sustainable and intelligent agricultural ecosystem using BADP’s microbial enzyme-based biodegradable plastic technology. Key leaders from both companies and Green Packaging attended the ceremony. The collaboration will focus on sustainable farming, eco-friendly packaging solutions, expanding biodegradable materials use, and entering international markets. BADP had already demonstrated its mulching film technology in Vietnam, and its products passed verification by a global certification body. Both companies view this agreement as a milestone for advancing eco-friendly agriculture and packaging in Asia.

Biodegradable Mulching Films: Enhancing Soil Health and Driving a Growing Global Market The economic landscape for biodegradable mulching films (BDMs) is rapidly evolving, transitioning from a specialized innovation to a mainstream agricultural essential. In 2023, the global market for BDMs reached approximately USD 63.8 million, with projections indicating a substantial growth to between USD 96 million and 127 million by 2032–2034. Some estimations even position the sector surpassing USD 110 billion by 2033. This progression is underpinned by a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8–9%, fueled by sustainability mandates, regulatory limitations on polyethylene films, and consumer preferences for eco-conscious production. On a regional scale, the Asia-Pacific region emerges as a key player, commanding more than a third of the global market share in 2023. This dominance is primarily attributed to extensive fruit and vegetable cultivation in countries like China and India. Europe and North America also make substantial contributions, bolstered by policies phasing out traditional plastics and offering incentives for sustainable alternatives. Notably, the adoption of BDMs is particularly prominent in the fruits and vegetables sector, encompassing crops such as eggplant, where mulching practices bolster crop yield, quality, and soil vitality. Despite an initial cost that is two to three times higher than polyethylene mulch, BDMs offer cost savings by streamlining labor and disposal expenses through the elimination of removal requirements. Moreover, they present compliance benefits within increasingly stringent environmental regulations. While starch-based films currently lead the market, hybrid and advanced biodegradable blends are gaining traction due to their enhanced durability. Overall, the burgeoning global market for BDMs showcases their dual impact of enriching soil health, curbing plastic pollution, and fostering expanding economic prospects within the agricultural sector. FM Shamim Swapan Kumar Roy Ayatullah Zamil Dr Shamim Ahamed ProfessorMd Shariful Islam Professor Md. Omar Sharif Dr Md Shoriful Islam Md Kawsar Ahamed Rafikul Islam careAgri- Environment

🚨 New project alert! Agriculture increasingly relies on plastics like mulch films, tree shelters, and fertilisers, but these materials often end up as waste, polluting soils and threatening biodiversity. The CBE JU-funded #SOUL project will develop 11 new biodegradable-in-soil products made from sustainable, bio-based materials. These include mulch films, tree guards and sports field applications that safely break down in different environments, cutting plastic waste and microplastic pollution. What SOUL will deliver: ▶️ 11 biodegradable products for agriculture, gardening & sports ▶️ Production capacity above 250 tonnes per year ▶️ Thermostable enzymes for faster in-soil biodegradation ▶️ Demonstration at 5 real sites in Spain, Italy, Poland, Portugal & Ireland ▶️ 40% lower energy use and 50% fewer CO₂ emissions compared to fossil plastics ▶️ €7M projected revenues within 4 years post-project ▶️ 35 direct jobs created, with long-term potential up to 800,000 jobs in Europe The project is supported with €7.26 million in CBE JU funding and has 18 partners from 9 countries.

I am excited to share results from a recent case study with Olive Branch Aquaponics 🌱 Pepper plants in an aquaponic media bed were supplemented with the AGP Iron Gel, a plant-based and biodegradable alternative to synthetic chelated iron. 📊 Before: plants exhibited interveinal chlorosis (yellowing leaves with green veins), a classic sign of iron deficiency. 🌿 After: 60 days later, plants developed uniform, dark green foliage, demonstrating restored iron availability and improved overall health. By delivering micronutrients that remain plant-available in a gel form directly to the root zone, dosing becomes more efficient than with powders that often precipitate, have a narrow pH range, and require higher chemical inputs. With AGP Iron Gel, we are able to use fewer chemicals while achieving stronger plant performance ✅ This study highlights the potential of biodegradable nutrient inputs to simplify management, replace synthetic supplements, and strengthen aquaponic systems. Most importantly, this represents a step forward in our mission to advance sustainable food production systems that protect coastal ecosystems from nutrient pollution!!! 🌊

Have you heard about the PHAntastic project? This European initiative is redefining how we approach plastics in greenhouses and horticultural crops. The goal: replacing conventional plastics with next-generation biodegradable films and foams that not only break down without leaving residues but also release beneficial biological compounds into the soil as they degrade. At Agronova Biotech, we play an active role in this global challenge, bringing Probelte's expertise in R&D, biotechnology, and advanced formulations. Our mission is clear: to help crops become more productive and resilient while eliminating plastic footprints from the field. Key benefits: ✅ No more microplastics in agriculture ✅ Healthier, more fertile and sustainable soils ✅ Reduced reliance on fertilizers and pesticides The future of agriculture begins with innovations like this - where sustainability, technology, and productivity work hand in hand. 📌 Image credit: PHAntastic Probelte / CETEC / Helian Polymers BV / ARCHA | Analisi Ambientali | Ricerca & Sviluppo | Tecnologie / Helian Polymers BV / Knowledge Value Consulting / RevolvePlanet / AVASA / Fresh Fruitsand Vegetables Growers Association / RTDS Group / Greenport Boskoop / Vertify // #SustainableAgriculture #BiodegradablePlastics #AgTech #HorticultureInnovation #GreenhouseFarming #SoilHealth #CircularEconomy #AgroInnovation #BioTech #PlasticFreeFarming #SustainabilityInAction #EcoFriendlyFarming

Diatomite is gaining momentum across multiple industries. In food & beverage, it remains indispensable for beer, wine, and edible oil filtration. Construction is another strong driver — the global green building materials market is projected to grow over 8% annually, boosting demand for lightweight and sustainable additives like diatomite. Agriculture is also rising, as organic farming in Asia and Africa increasingly relies on natural soil improvers. At the same time, industrial applications such as coatings, fillers, and absorbents are diversifying rapidly. With its versatility and eco-friendly profile, diatomite is set to play a vital role in sustainable growth across sectors. 🌏