In addition to our report on Waste Reduction and Recycling in China’s F&B Sector, you will find here an overview of a number of collaborative EU-China projects tackling F&B waste recycling, utilisation and risk prevention. These projects were funded under Horizon Europe, and may have received co-funding from Chinese government bodies (such as MOST or NSFC). Some projects are Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, thus focusing on the mobility of researchers; other projects are Research and Innovation actions, thus focusing on technology R&D. All information in this section was obtained from the EU’s CORDIS database: https://cordis.europa.eu/.
The Nano4PAnMBR project, led by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain) and including Tsinghua University as an associated partner, addresses the challenge of inefficient bioenergy production in cold regions through psychrophilic anaerobic digestion. It aims to enhance this process by integrating nanomaterials and membrane bioreactor technology, improving energy recovery from organic waste. Specific tasks involve synthesising nanomaterials, improving bioreactor performance, and mitigating membrane fouling, all to boost sustainable bioenergy production.
The AgriLoop project, led by France’s Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environment (INRAE) and including 15 Chinese partners from the academic, research and industry sectors, addresses the challenge of agricultural waste by transforming residues into valuable resources, thus advancing circular agriculture. Its key tasks include developing new technologies for converting agricultural by-products into bio-based materials, fertilisers, and other products, promoting environmental sustainability and economic opportunities. The project aims to reduce waste, lower emissions, and improve soil health, contributing to a more resilient agricultural sector while also creating new business models and reducing the environmental footprint of farming practices.
The SAFE project, led by Denmark-based International Organisation for the Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Europe and including the Shanghai Ocean University, aims to improve the sustainability of freshwater aquaculture in the EU reducing its environmental impact through the application of circular economy approaches. Specifically, the project tasks focus on developing smart, eco-friendly water management systems that enhance the sustainability and productivity of aquaculture. The goals are to reduce environmental impacts, optimise resource use, and support the aquaculture sector in transitioning toward a more sustainable future.
The NOVAFOODIES project, led by Spain’s Idener Research & Development Agrupacion de Interes Economico and including CAS Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute as associated partner, addresses the need for more sustainable food production systems, specifically focusing on the aquatic sector. Key project tasks include developing sustainable production systems for macro and microalgae, valorising waste and fish biomass to create circular value chains, and formulating new functional aquafeeds and food products that meet consumer needs while minimising environmental impacts. The overall goal is to create a more efficient, environmentally friendly value chain for aquatic food, with a focus on reducing waste, enhancing product traceability, and increasing consumer trust
The HYWAY project, led by Université du Luxembourg and including three Chinese universities and one Chinese company (among other non-EU associated partners), aims to tackle the need for sustainable energy by developing innovative processes to produce hydrogen from various waste materials, including biomass and plastics (among other types of waste). It does so by converting waste into hydrogen using advanced methods like pyrolysis, gasification, and catalysis. These technologies also incorporate life cycle assessments and digital twin models to enhance efficiency.
