Circular bioeconomy tool for development of new business models

The aim of the CIRCULAR BIOECONOMY MODULE project is to promote the local collaboration within circular bioeconomy and reach zero waste in the food chain. The aim is to increase cooperation and business between actors in the food production chain and actors that process side streams. The project assesses the resource and cost efficiency of the production chains as well as the environmental impacts, utilizing information from a wide range of actors, processes, raw materials, and products. The aim is to increase data availability to help food sector businesses find new opportunities from changing trends in the food system, such as carbon neutrality and zero waste, new protein sources, technological development, and local self-sufficiency.

The concrete aim of the project is to update the existing Biomass-atlas web service with data cards that have data on the properties of the biomasses, and model value chains that inspire the utilization of side streams. The data cards collect information which is relevant for the utilization of biomass, such as dry matter and nutrient concentrations. Examples of the processing of various organic side streams with various processing technologies are selected as model value chains. Examples are also sought from industries represented by the steering group, such as biogas production, fish farming and vegetable production. The goal is to create cost-effective value chains in which side streams are utilized as new products, inputs to production processes are minimized, and side-streams are recycled between different sectors.

The project is implemented by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (coordinator) and the University of Vaasa.