Italian–Maltese project for biomedical uses of green material

The Biobiowa project officially begins—an initiative dedicated to enhancing agri-food waste through sustainable technologies to produce biochar for biomedical use. The inaugural event will take place on July 2 at the Conference Center of the “G. Martino” University Hospital in Messina and marks the launch of a cross-border collaboration between Italy and Malta.

The aim of Biobiowa is to develop an eco-friendly, low-energy process to transform agricultural residues into biochar, a carbon-based material already known for its effectiveness in environmental and agronomic applications. However, the project stands out for its focus on advanced sectors, particularly pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, exploring the potential of biochar as a carrier for active ingredients.

The program is funded by the Interreg VI Italy-Malta fund and involves the Biomorf Department of the University of Messina, under the supervision of Professor Alessandra Bitto, the University of Malta, and the Sicilian company Sialab srl. Activities will be divided among the three partners: the Messina-based university will handle the production phase, the Maltese institution will carry out chemical characterization, while Sialab will perform quality controls to ensure suitability for biomedical applications.

During the inaugural event, institutional speeches are planned, including one by the regional coordinator of the Interreg VI program, along with the participation of local companies. The conference represents an opportunity to publicly present the aims, methods, and prospects of an initiative that seeks to establish a virtuous model of circular economy in the agricultural sector, with impacts on scientific innovation and industrial sustainability.