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CONTACTICA Concludes Groundbreaking Projects: Highlights from UP4HEALTH and ALEHOOP

 

On December 13, 2024, CONTACTICA proudly participated in the joint final webinar of the Horizon 2020-funded UP4HEALTH and ALEHOOP projects. These initiatives have made transformative strides in Europe’s bioeconomy by developing sustainable solutions to valorize agro-industrial by-products.

The webinar, attended by over 60 participants—including researchers, industry leaders, regulators, and the public—offered a platform to showcase the impactful results of both projects. Each has contributed significantly to the circular economy by converting residues from grapes, olives, nuts, and legumes into high-value ingredients for applications in food, beverages, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals.

 

Key Achievements of UP4HEALTH

 

UP4HEALTH, concluding this December, has developed biorefinery processes to extract and repurpose bioactive compounds from agro-industrial by-products. CONTACTICA played a critical role in ensuring these processes were both scalable and sustainable.

Highlights from the webinar include:

  • ISANATUR presented the transformation of olive, grape, and nut by-products into functional, high-value ingredients.
  • CONTACTICA’s Lucía García showcased how the project optimized production using a life-cycle approach, prioritizing eco-design and scalability.
  • The Polytechnic Institute of Braganza shared insights into the bioactivity and bioavailability of UP4HEALTH’s ingredients, demonstrating their market potential.
  • BIOZOON validated these ingredients in real-world food and beverage applications.
  • TU Dublin addressed regulatory considerations to ensure compliance and market readiness.

 

Key Achievements of ALEHOOP

 

The ALEHOOP project also reached its successful conclusion, driving innovations in protein extraction and valorization from legumes and algae.

Key contributions presented during the webinar:

  • ANFACO, TECNALIA, and UVIGO discussed cutting-edge biomass management techniques and protein extraction.
  • CONTACTICA demonstrated the sustainable scale-up of these processes, highlighting their feasibility at industrial levels.
  • Nutrition Sciences validated green macroalgae proteins for use in animal feed, while VIDARA explored their potential in human food products.
  • TECNALIA and UVIGO confirmed the bioavailability of proteins for food applications, aligning with consumer health needs.
  • TU Dublin ensured the regulatory framework for market entry was addressed.

CONTACTICA’s Role and Vision

 

CONTACTICA has been instrumental in ensuring that the results from both projects meet sustainability, scalability, and eco-design goals. Our expertise in project management, life-cycle analysis, and sustainability ensured that these biorefinery innovations aligned with market demands while addressing critical challenges in the agro-industrial sector.

As these projects conclude, CONTACTICA celebrates their lasting impact on the European bioeconomy, paving the way for future advancements in sustainable biorefineries and circular economy practices.

 

A Legacy for the Future

 

Both UP4HEALTH and ALEHOOP leave behind a legacy of innovation, demonstrating how agro-industrial residues can be transformed into valuable resources. CONTACTICA is proud to have contributed to these groundbreaking achievements and remains committed to driving sustainability and innovation in future initiatives.

For more information, visit the projects’ websites:

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