The project
Project details
BIOBIOWA valorises agri-food waste by transforming it into biochar through a low-energy process. Joint research in Sicily and Malta studies biomass and carbon-based materials for environmental and biomedical applications. The project aims to demonstrate that a currently underused residue can become a high-value resource, contributing to the circular economy and waste reduction.
- Select and characterise suitable agri-food biomass.
- Produce biochar using green, low-energy technologies.
- Test biomedical and environmental applications of the resulting materials.
- Selection and characterisation of ten biomass types.
- Production of biochar and nanobiochar through hydrothermal carbonisation.
- Chemical, morphological, functional and safety analyses.
- Testing for drug delivery and bioremediation.
- Protection of intellectual property.
Twenty pilot batches, comprising ten biochars and ten nanobiochars; characterisation and application-testing reports; technical safety documentation; and methods and solutions intended for at least two patent applications.
New waste-derived nanocarriers for delivering active substances; wider availability of green materials for environmental and biomedical applications; reduced waste and new opportunities for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agri-food businesses.
The project can create circular value chains linking agriculture, research and industry, reduce the impact of organic residues and increase the cross-border area’s capacity to generate patentable innovation.
The cross-border dimension makes it possible to pool Sicilian and Maltese expertise in medicine, chemistry, materials and agri-environmental services and test a value chain that requires infrastructure and knowledge distributed across both territories. The solutions are designed to be shared, transferable and usable beyond the funding period.
Lead partner: Università degli Studi di Messina
Project partners: University of Malta; SIALAB SRL
ERDF: € 1.157.473,14; National contribution: € 289.368,29.
