The project GRAIL has been build with 15 partners from 9 different countries with the aim of finalising the solutions given previously to the valorization of glycerol and transform then in valuable products in a biorefinery approach. The overall concept of GRAIL project is the use, exploitation and further development of the state of the art in the field of bio-based products from glycerol and the development research-driven cluster for the use of crude glycerol for the production of high-value platforms, as well as valued end products, harnessing the biotech processes. Therefore GRAIL project has a strong business focus and its ultimate goal is to set up implantation of biorefineries in close relationship with biodiesel. This project's aim is to develop a set of technologies for converting waste glycerol from biodiesel production in a biorefinery concept to end with products of high value such as 1,3 propanediol, Fatty acid glycerol formal esters, PolyHydroxyAlkanoates (PHA), Hydrogen and Ethanol, Synthetic coatings, powder coating resins, Secondary Glycerol Amine, Biobutanol, Trehalose, Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), ß-carotene, Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), .The GRAIL project has designed an overall strategy based on three main pillars covering all the value chain: Pillar 1: Raw materials: Evaluation of crude glycerol and purification - Pillar 2: Product development: Research and development to transform crude glycerol into other high added value such as biofuels, green chemicals and food supplements - Pillar 3: Industrial feasibility aspects including economic and environmental evaluation. This pillar will take the results of GRAIL from the product development to the industrial site. To carry out that the technical feasibility will be study on a pilot plant in a Demonstration (and the results will be important to evaluate the LCA and the economic feasibility (WP6).
Subprojects: - Identifying general relationships between semi-natural habitats, on-farm management and biodiversity (WP1) - Linking biodiversity to ecosystem services on farmland (WP2) - Mitigation of biodiversity loss and promotion of ecosystem services (WP3). The next few decades will witness a rapidly increasing demand for agricultural products. This growing demand needs to be met largely through intensification (produce more from the same land surface) because there is little scope for an increase in agricultural area. Ecological intensification has been proposed as a promising solution. Ecological intensification is the optimization of all provisioning, regulating and supporting ecosystem services in the agricultural production process. As such it advocates to maintain or enhance agricultural production through the promotion of biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. The LIBERATION project aims to provide the evidence-base for the potential of ecological intensification to sustainably enhance food security with minimal negative impacts on the environment. This requires a basic insight in how biodiversity contributes to various ecosystem services and subsequently how ecosystem services contribute to yield and farm income. Key questions that will be addressed are: - How landscape structure and land-use interact in the provisioning of ecosystem services; - How farmland biodiversity is related to multiple ecosystem services; - Whether there are trade-offs between different ecosystem services; - How ecosystem services are related to farm income; - How ecosystem services may be influenced by policy measures at the local, national or EU scale. LIBERATION will focus on the ecosystem services pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling and soil fertility, thus examining both above- and below-ground ecosystem services as well as possible trade-offs and synergies. Implications for greenhouse gas emissions will be explored throughout all activities in the project. Ecosystem service delivery will be expressed in terms of (their contribution to) agricultural yield and in terms of farm income.
The current project proposal discloses a novel biorefinery process for a sustainable, waste free, low energy conversion route of negative value marine waste streams into high value, high performance chemical intermediates and products for the polymer industry. The project has a strong emphasis on technology development and transfer to low-tech and developing countries in the EU and associated ICPC and therefore will significantly contribute to the technological and economic leadership of the EU. The technologies disclosed in this project will foster the natural growth of sustainable economies in the EU and beyond by eliminating the need for fossil resources to preserve and exceed the current standard of living. The innovative technologies developed in this project will apply novel concepts for the production of bio-based platform chemicals that act as 'drop-ins' for existing and novel polymer production processes with high atom efficiencies. The unique assembly of the current consortium consisting of academics, SME's and large scale chemical industry partners, clearly has the scientific and technical expertise to rapidly transform laboratory based results into novel product lines at an accelerated time frame. As a part of the strategy the consortium has included Demonstration Activities as require by the FP7-KBBE-Call.
Global apiculture is facing an unprecedented crisis of increasing parasite pressure and a loss of hon-eybee biodiversity. SMARTBEES unites a team of experts with the necessary skills to build a bright and sustainable future. The SMARTBEES concept is low risk and high impact, using established protocols and state-of-the-art methods. Including world leading researchers from outwith the traditional honeybee sphere (e.g. acarology, genetic breeding and insect immunology). We will identify crucial facets of honeybee resistance to colony losses, Varroa and viruses. We will provide a step-change in the current mechanistic understanding of these traits, and will characterise the genetic background of the resistance mechanisms in honeybees. We will develop breeding strategies to increase the frequencies of these valuable traits in local honeybee populations, considering the variable need of both common and endangered subspecies and local beekeeping practises. Breeding efforts concentrating on very few races may endanger genetic diversity, to avoid this SMARTBEES will promote multiple local breeding efforts, to conserve local resilient populations and will develop molecular tools for describing and safeguarding future populations. SMARTBEES recognizes responsibility to protect our natural honeybee heritage. SMARTBEES will commission extension science, and work in cooperation with stakeholders to attain conservation by utilisation. SMARTBEES will establish a network of apiaries for performance testing, to encourage local uptake of resistant traits. These will be run mainly by beekeepers, thereby improving the local acceptability and dissemination, and support the long-term sustainability of the apicultural sector. SMARTBEES recognises the need to horizon scan for new threats, and the consortium includes the current EU reference laboratory to that end. SMARTBEES is an opportunity to make a lasting difference to the health, resilience and genetic diversity of our honeybees.
EnviGuard is a response to the growing need for accurate real time monitoring of the seas/ocean and the aquaculture industries need for a reliable and cost-effective risk management tool. The implementation of the EnviGuard system will allow for early detection of harmful algae blooms (HAB), chemical contaminants, viruses and toxins thus preventing economic losses. The modular EnviGuard system will be made up of three different sensor modules (microalgae / pathogens, i.e. viruses & bacteria / toxins & chemicals), that are connected to the common interface 'EnviGuard Port' which collects and sends the information to a server. The data will be accessible through a website in real-time. The modularity of the system enables an individual setup for each purpose thus offering a tailor-made solution for each future client.
MariaBox will develop a wireless marine environment analysis device for monitoring chemical and biological pollutants while installed into a buoy, a maritime means of transport or a mooring. The device, based on novel biosensors, will be of high-sensitivity, portable and capable of repeating measurements over a long time, allowing permanent deployment at sea. The word 'MARIA' is the plural of the Latin 'mar' (sea) and expresses the wide applicability that this system offers in multiple locations where low-cost and real-time in situ analytical monitoring devices are required. The approach includes: a) a sensing and analysis box, b) a modular communication system, c) a flexible power system, d) a software platform, and e) a cell phone application. The box will transmit the collected data in real time through different channels according to local needs and geographical location: radio, GSM/GPRS/3G, WiFi, WiMAX or satellite link. The unit will be designed to be remotely controlled and will implement the OTA programming and OTA configuration features which will allow the user to update the firmware of the MariaBox unit and modify various configuration parameters wirelessly. Remote updates are a key factor in deployment scalability since it offers the only possibility of easily updating or reprogramming the devices after the initial deployment. Therefore, the maintenance costs are significantly reduced. Biosensors will be developed for 5 man-made chemicals and for 4 categories of microalgae toxins relevant to shell fish and fish farming. The novel biosensors will contribute to new standards for environmental analysis. The analytes selected for the biosensors are in line with 1) the Article 16 of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), 2) the Decision 2455/2001/EC and 3) The Commission Directive 2009/90/EC. The system developed will be demonstrated and validated in four different scenarios in selected locations in Norway, Spain, Cyprus and Ireland.
Das Projekt zielt darauf ab die genetischen Ressourcen von Leguminosen in Europa zu untersuchen um Ihre nachhaltige Produktion und Nutzung zu fördern. Neue Sorten und neue Lebens-und Futtermittel sollen die Proteinproduktion in der EU wettbewerbsfähiger und nachhaltiger machen. Kurzfristige Ziele S & T: 1. Bewertung lokaler genetischer Ressourcen von Erbse (Pisum sativum L.), Ackerbohne (Vicia faba L.) und Augenbohne (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) für die Entwicklung von neuen Sorten für Lebens- und Futtermittel und die weitere Verwendung in der Zucht; 2. Entwicklung neuer Lebens- und Futtermittel aus verfügbaren europäischen Sorten von Erbse, Ackerbohne und Augenbohne; 3. Auswahl geeigneter Rhizobienstämme und arbuskulären Mykorrhizapilze zur Unterstützung der Stickstofffixierung und Entwicklung von neuen, kommerziellen Sporen-Impfstoffen; 4. Bewertung des Einflusses von Leguminosen auf die Bodeneigenschaften in nachhaltigen, regional-spezifischen Anbausystemen. Projektschwerpunkt an der BOKU sind die Wurzelsysteme.
BIOFECTOR is an integrated project with the aim to reduce input of mineral fertilisers in European agriculture by development of specifically adapted bio-effectors (BEs) to improve the efficiency of alternative fertilisation strategies, such as organic and low-input farming, use of fertilisers based on waste recycling products and fertiliser placement technologies. Bio-effectors addressed comprise fungal strains of Trichoderma, Penicillium and Sebacinales, as well as bacterial strains of Bacillus and Pseudomonades with well-characterized root growth promoting and nutrient-solubilising potential. Natural extraction products of seaweed, compost and plant extracts, as well as their purified active compounds with protective potential against biotic and abiotic stresses are also tested in various combinations. These features offer perspectives for a more efficient use of nutrients by strategic combination with the alternative fertilisation strategies. Maize, wheat and tomato are chosen as representative crops. Laboratory and European-wide field experiments assure product adaptation to the various geo-climatic conditions characteristic for European agriculture. The final goal is the development of viable alternatives to the conventional practice of mineral fertilisation as contribution to a more efficient management of the non-renewable resources of mineral nutrients, energy and water, to preserve soil fertility and to counteract the adverse environmental impact of agricultural production.
OPTIBIOCAT is a 48 months project aimed at developing biocatalysts based on feruloyl esterases (FAEs) and glucuronoyl esterases (GEs) for production of phenolic fatty- and sugar- esters with antioxidant activity for cosmetic industry, expanding the number/type of industrial biotransformations. Selected FAEs and GEs available within the consortium will be improved for their thermo- and solvent- resistance and substrate specificity by site-directed mutagenesis and directed evolution. Novel enzymes will be discovered by mining for new genes from available genomes. An inventory of novel FAEs and GEs will be developed including 50 fungal and 500 bacterial esterases, 25 site-directed and 20 directed evolved mutants. Enzymatic performances will be optimized to enhance the yield (up to the theoretical yield of 100%) and productivity (up to 0.5-1 g/l/h) of reactions giving the main targeted antioxidants: butyl ferulate, p-coumarate, caffeate, sinapate and 5-O-(trans-feruloyl)-arabinofuranose (using FAEs), glucuronate and benzyl glucuronate (using GEs). FAEs and GEs will be also tested for production of other compounds with improved biological activity and properties of hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity for cosmetic applications. Cost-effective methods will be developed for production of the new biocatalysts, in the g/L scale, and for their technical application to produce antioxidants for cosmetic industry, up to 20L. Enzyme immobilization will increase their recyclability up to ten cycles. The ability of the developed catalysts to work in conditions miming the industrial ones with reduced use of solvents and lower temperature than the chemical routes will be demonstrated. The techno-economic viability and environmental friendliness will be assessed considering a full industrial scale scenario. OPTIBIOCAT involves a highly skilled and multidisciplinary partnership of 16 partners from 8 EU countries, and it is a strongly industry driven project through the participation of 8 SMEs and 1 large company.
Das EU-Projekt FOODMETRES (Food Planning und Innovation für nachhaltige Metropolenregionen) befasst sich mit der ökologischen und sozial-ökonomischen Bewertung von Nahrungsprodukt-(liefer-)Ketten (food chains) und metropolitanen Agrarsystemen. Dabei werden räumliche, logistische und soziale Aspekte sowie Fragen des Ressourcenverbrauchs, des Food Plannings, Governance und sozialer Akzeptanz von der Produktion, Verarbeitung, Distribution bis hin zum Konsum analysiert. Der evidenz-basierte Untersuchungsansatz verbindet quantitative, qualitative und diskursive Methoden und bezieht regionale Akteure mit ein. Die wichtigsten Ziele sind: Die Identifizierung innovativer Konzepte und Praxisbeispiele von Produktketten, die der Versorgung der städtischen Bevölkerung dienen, und die im Kontext kleinmaßstäbiger urbaner, peri-urbaner und peri-urban-ruraler Formen der Landwirtschaft und Nahrungsproduktion bis hin zu großmaßstäbigen metropolitanen Agrarsystemen existieren. Die Bewertung der ökonomischen, ökologischen und sozialen Auswirkungen dieser innovativen Food Chain-Systeme auf verschiedenen Maßstabsebenen unter Nutzung des Ökologischen Fußabdrucks und Produktlebenszyklus-Analyse. Hierbei wird besonderes Augenmerk auf Aspekte wie Effizienz, regionale Wettbewerbsfähigkeit, kulturelle Identität (z. B. Landschaften, regionale Märkte) und Ökosystemdienstleistungen (z. B. Wassermanagement, Kreislaufwirtschaft, Biodiversität) gelegt. Die Untersuchung und der Vergleich technischer, logistischer, organisatorischer und governance-bezogener Aspekte dieser innovativen Food Chains anhand von Fallstudien und die Bestimmung von Erfolgsbeispielen (best practise) für ein nachhaltiges Food Planning in Metropolregionen unter Einbeziehung regionaler Akteure aus Wirtschaft und Politik. Die Entwicklung von Szenarien (Modellierung) und Werkzeugen zur Folgenabschätzung (Impact-Assessment-Tool), welche die regionalen Akteure bei der Entscheidung und Planung unterstützen. Eine aktive Wissensvermittlung zwischen und in den sechs Fallstudienregionen, die dazu beitragen kann, Innovationen zu beschleunigen sowie die Generierung von Wissen, dass für andere Akteure in europäischen Großstädten oder in Entwicklungsländern nutzbar ist.
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