Project: Turn food industry by-products into secondary feedstuffs via circular-economy schemes
| Acronym | NEWFEED |
| Duration | 01/07/2021 - 30/06/2025 |
| Project Topic | The objective of this Innovation Action is the development and adoption of alternative animal feeds setting up a circular economy approach in the livestock production by turning the by-products of the food industry into high value secondary feedstuff for animal feed. The project also focusses on the increase of the sustainability of the Mediterranean livestock through the valorisation of local food industry by-products that will lead to reduced environmental impact and costs. The overall methodology focuses on activities directly aiming at testing and demonstrating the technical and economic viability of alternatives feed resources from improved food industry by-products in the Mediterranean Area. Proposed solutions are in line with national and regional strategies and policies, since they are based on circular economy schemes, and they will be carried out in partnership with the main stakeholders considering a multi-actor approach. Three different value chains of the Mediterranean area will be validated to create new business opportunities: • The 1st case study (Spain) will assess the use of grape stem from wineries as a second-generation feedstuff to produce a new feed ingredient for ruminants (dairy sheep and cattle). • The 2nd case study (Greece) will assess the use of orange peel from orange juice industries to produce an improved feed ingredient (dairy sheep). • The 3rd case study (Egypt) will assess the use of olive oil industry by-products to produce feed ingredient for poultry. These food by-products (winery, orange juice and olive oil by-products) have been previously used in animal feed without or by simple processing. However, their use cannot be considered generalized in animal feed since it is limited to regions with some specific circumstances, such as the proximity of the livestock farm to a food industry, by-products seasonality and specific livestock productive period (generally intermediate stages of fattening). Moreover, the viability of a direct supply of food industry by-products for animal feed without any treatment depends on many factors which can significantly limit their feasibility and, in many cases, can make it unsustainable, such as moisture or antinutritional substances. The innovation potential which this proposal represents is based on the concept of applying bioprocessing techniques in a cascade approach to increase the nutritional value of by-products (solid fermentation) and to improve the assimilation of nutrients by animals (hydrolysis). The stabilization ensures the nutritional value, food safety and shelf life of ingredients. The project relevance to the specific topic is based on the following expected impacts: • Development and adoption of at least 3 new alternative feed sources from winery, orange juice and olive oil industry by- products. • Adoption of 3 circular economy approaches in the livestock production by valorising food industry by-products (winery, orange juice & olive oil sectors) as alternative feed for livestock (dairy cattle and sheep & poultry) to produce new products (dairy & meat) for human consumption. • Valorisation of 3 local crops by-products (grape, orange and olive) for animal feeding by 3 innovative valorisation strategies adapted to the local food industry and livestock requirements, but replicable to other Mediterranean area regions. • Reduce the cost of production of livestock by providing 3 alternative feeds and improve the quality of the final products by ensuring compliance with the husbandry and animals nutritional requirements. • Favor mix crop-livestock systems by strengthening their partnerships and collaboration. This impact will be assured by the participation of stakeholders that represent the interests of this value chain. This proposal will also contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and will help to develop a sustainable and efficient agriculture, livestock and food systems. |
| Website | visit project website |
| Network | PRIMA |
| Call | Section 1 Call 2020 - Farming Systems (B) |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fundación AZTI - AZTI Fundazioa | Coordinator | Spain |
| 2 | NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development | Partner | Spain |
| 3 | RIERA NADEU, SA | Partner | Spain |
| 4 | Unión Agroganadera de Álava | Partner | Spain |
| 5 | Bodegas BAIGORRI S.A.U. | Partner | Spain |
| 6 | Confederación Española de Fabricantes de Piensos Compuestos para Animales | Partner | Spain |
| 7 | Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development | Partner | Egypt |
| 8 | SEKEM DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION | Partner | Egypt |
| 9 | ISIS For Food Indusries, LTD | Partner | Egypt |
| 10 | National Technical University of Athens | Partner | Greece |
| 11 | FEDERATION OF HELLENIC FOOD INDUSTRIES (SYNDESMOS ELLINIKON VIOMICHANION TROFIMON SOMATEIO) | Partner | Greece |
| 12 | Research Institute of Animal Science, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-Demeter | Partner | Greece |
| 13 | University of Western Macedonia. Department of Agriculture, | Partner | Greece |
| 14 | Middle East Technical University | Partner | Türkiye |