Sustainable Valorization Of The Algae Industry Waste-Stream Within An Advanced Clean Technologies-Based Integrated Biorefinery Concept

The management of the growing amount of food waste is considered as an urgent environmental and economic burden by the European Commission.

In response to this challenge, the Algwas-Bior Project proposes an integrated Biorefinery technology, focusing on the valorization of the waste stream released from the algae industry following agar extraction Gelidium sesquipedale.

The hydrocolloid-centric extraction of this seaweed generates a large quantity of waste rich in organic materials and biologically active compounds.

In Europe, a modest focus has been accorded so far to the industrial valorization of these compounds, particularly for the development of value-added food additives, pharmaceutical ingredients, and health-promoting products.

The cascade technology will be a versatile solution adaptable to a wide range of food industry waste-stream valorization, thus, moving up the waste hierarchy through coupling the biomass and production sector in a solid circular Bioeconomy.

The methodology combines high-quality process performance data generation supported by automated data acquisition and process control systems along with cutting edge analytical methods.

The interdisciplinary concept mostly based on supercritical and subcritical fluids technologies, expanded to modern, clean technologies will be subjected to pilot-scale testing and process validation using the facilities of Hiperbaric as a secondment.

The proposal will deliver state-of-the-art training to the researcher in these technologies within a three-way transfer of knowledge with the host institution and industrial partners.

The results will lead to the development of commercialisable process that will reinforce the competitiveness of the food industry and will contribute to the strategy of the European Union to build a strong circular and bio-economy leading to the creation of viable green job opportunities.