PoliBioSan – PBS

Funder: Project funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.5 – Cascade Call related to the Program “Innovation, digitalisation and sustainability for the diffused economy in Central Italy – Vitality – Spoke 10” funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU;

Award Number: Cascade Call related to the Program “Innovation, digitalisation and sustainability for the diffused economy in Central Italy – Vitality – Spoke 10” ECS 00000041, CUP J33C22002850006;

Start date: **/**/2024

End date: **/**/2025

Total NRRP funding for the cascade call: € 290.019,45 

Total NRRP funding for Unipr: € 87.100,00

The PoliBioSan project, led by Farmech in collaboration with Campello SCA and the University of Parma, aims to transform olive oil production waste (sanse) into high-value biochemical products. The project focuses on extracting bioactive compounds from sanse to create organic agricultural amendments and potentially formulate pharmaceuticals or dietary supplements. By integrating advanced technologies such as IoT and Machine Learning, the project seeks to establish a pioneering technological hub that reduces agricultural waste and generates new applications for these by-products. This initiative not only addresses ecological concerns but also offers technological, social, and economic development opportunities in the region.

The project involves several key steps, including the collection and storage of sanse, chemical transformation to obtain bioactive extracts, and the development of organic amendments. The collaboration with academic institutions and industry experts ensures a comprehensive approach to research and practical application. The ultimate goal is to create a sustainable and innovative model for managing agricultural waste, contributing to regional ecology and offering new economic opportunities.

The University of Parma is involved in the following WP (work packege):

• WP1: Collection starting materials
• WP2: Extraction
• WP3: Purification
• WP4: Stabilize or change form
• WP5: Storage and sell end materials

• Department of Food and Drug

• Farmech SRL
• Cooperativa Campello SCA

The PoliBioSan project is expected to produce significant advancements in the valorization of agricultural waste. By transforming sanse into valuable bioactive compounds and organic amendments, the project will enhance soil quality, reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, and decrease agricultural waste. The development of these products will support sustainable agricultural practices and contribute to the circular economy. Additionally, the project aims to explore the potential of sanse-derived compounds in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications, particularly for treating metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.

The successful implementation of the PoliBioSan project will set a precedent for similar initiatives in other regions, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of using agricultural by-products in innovative ways. The integration of advanced technologies will also provide valuable data and insights for optimizing production processes, further enhancing the project's impact. Overall, the project aims to create a sustainable and economically viable model for managing agricultural waste, benefiting both the environment and the local economy.

VITALITY – Ecosistema di Innovazione, Digitalizzazione e Sostenibilità per l’Economia Diffusa nell’Italia Centrale