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Development and validation of three advanced biobased and soil biodegradable products for sustainable agriculture: CRFs, mulch films, and plant protectors (tree guards)- Vegetable and/or fruit growers sought to test these products (HE-CBE-2024-IA-01).

Summary

Closed for EoI
Profile Type
  • Research & Development Request
POD Reference
RDRES20240801002
Term of Validity
1 August 2024 - 1 August 2025
Company's Country
  • Spain
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
A Spanish RTO specialised in providing advanced solutions to pollutant plastic products, will coordinate a project that aims to deploy sustainable and soil biodegradable alternatives to single-use agricultural plastics. ITENE is looking for farmers located in both Central and Northern Europe who can test the developed products in the field for herbaceous crops (e.g., lettuce, broccoli, strawberry) and woody crops (e.g., vineyard, apple, peach).
Full Description
Agricultural plastics provide multiple benefits to crop production, including improved growing conditions, plant protection, and fertilisation. However, plastic residues and microplastic released are a major source of soil and water contamination.

The Spanish RTO leads the preparation of a proposal with the goal of producing (pre-industrial scale) three biobased and soil biodegradable products: controlled release fertilizers (CRFs), mulch films, and plant protectors (tree guards) that replace conventional crop production applications. These products will incorporate additives for programmed biodegradation, as well as bioactive compounds to promote crop performance (organic NPK, microalgae extract – biostimulants, hervibore repellent). The strong consortium seeks to complete the presence of all value-chain actors by including growers. Specifically, the consortium is looking for growers in both Central and Northern Europe that produce:

- Vegetable crops (e.g., lettuce, broccoli, strawberry): for field validation of CRFs and mulch films.
- Woody crops (e.g., vineyard, apple, peach): for field validation of plant protectors.

The budget allocated for each partner in this 4-year project will be around 230,000€ (negotiable). Partners will test the products on their crops, provide feedback on their performance and user experience.

The targeted call is Bio-based materials and products for biodegradable in-soil applications - HE-CBE-2024-IA-01 - which deadline is 18/09/2024

Deadline for expression of interest: 14/08/2024
Advantages and Innovations
The developed products will be biobased and soil biodegradable. In addition, to maximise profitability and market uptake, they will incorporate additives for programmed biodegradation to target specific intended duration and climate, as well as bioactive compounds to promote crop performance.
Stage of Development
  • Lab tested
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • Goal 13: Climate Action
  • Goal 14: Life Below Water
  • Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • Goal 15: Life on Land
  • Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
IPR description
End users, growers of horticultural products and fruit trees. Experience in product trials and performance measurements.

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
Both Central (France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, etc.) and Northern Europe (Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Lithuania, etc.) growers of:
- Vegetable crops (e.g., lettuce, broccoli, strawberry): for field validation of CRFs and mulch films.
- Woody crops (e.g., vineyard, apple, peach): for field validation of plant protectors.

A partner fitting both roles simultaneously would be of greater interest.

The role consists of trialling the project’s products and providing feedback on their performance.
Type and Size of Partner
  • R&D Institution
  • SME 11-49
  • Other
  • SME <=10
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement

Call details

Framework program
  • Horizon Europe
Call title and identifier
Bio-based materials and products for biodegradable in-soil applications - HE-CBE-2024-IA-01
Submission and evaluation scheme
Single stage submission procedure. Evaluation (HE and CBE specifics) by q4 2024. Time to inform by 18/02/2025. Grant agreement preparation and signature deadline by 20/05/2024. More info: https://www.cbe.europa.eu/infoday24
Anticipated project budget
3-3.5 Million
Coordinator required
No
Deadline for EoI
Deadline of the call
Project duration in weeks
172
Web link to the call
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportuni…
Project title and acronym
To be determined

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 07001001 - Agriculture Machinery / Technology
  • 02007020 - Biobased materials
Market keywords
  • 09005 - Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Animal Husbandry & Related Products
Sector Groups Involved
  • Agri-Food
Targeted countries
  • All countries