- The project is funded with €5,509,655.50 over 48 months.
- It aims to process 100 tonnes of slaughterhouse waste and 20 tonnes of paper sludge.
- The project will valorize 20,000 tonnes of rumen waste and 50,000 tonnes of paper sludge annually.
- 13 partners are involved, including technology developers and industrial actors.
Project Overview
AIMPLAS coordinates a new European project to valorize slaughterhouse waste and paper and pulp sludge. The goal is to produce cost-efficient polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) for agricultural and personal care applications by coprocessing with other organic wastes such as dairy industry sludge and biodiesel industry glycerol. Additionally, the project aims to recover nutrients to produce bio-based fertilizers (BBFs).
Funding and Timeline
The ELLIPSE project is funded by the European Union under the Circular Bio-based Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) call HORIZON-JU-CBE-2022-IA-04. It has been allocated €5,509,655.50 over a 48-month period. The Kick-off Meeting (KoM) was hosted by AIMPLAS on 17th-18th May to outline the activities to be performed during the project.
Waste Valorization
The project will address the valorization of two significant waste streams in Europe: slaughterhouse waste and paper and pulp sludge. By integrating these waste streams as biorefinery feedstocks, the project aims to reduce landfill volumes, create new avenues for platform chemicals and bioplastics production, and generate additional revenue for related industries. The project also aims to achieve water recycling, decreased soil degradation, reduced groundwater pollution, and lower methane emissions.
Impact and Scale
ELLIPSE technology will process at least 100 tonnes of slaughterhouse waste and 20 tonnes of wastewater sludge from the pulp and paper industry. Annually, the project aims to valorize 20,000 tonnes of rumen content waste and 50,000 tonnes of paper sludge. The selected feedstocks are locally available and renewable, leading to nearly 100% renewably sourced personal care packaging and agricultural products.
Consortium Partners
The ELLIPSE consortium includes 13 partners, ranging from waste stream producers and managers to technology developers and industrial actors. Key partners include Green Generation, Heinzelpaper, Università di Verona, CARTIF, BEST, Biotrend, Bio-Mi, ZER0 Emissions Engineering, Helian Polymers, Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, Novamont, and ENCO.
