CESAM Webinar showcases innovative solutions for sustainable and circular food systems

The CESAM project hosted its second webinar, “Sustainable Solutions for Circular Food Systems,” organised by ACCIÓ. The session brought together public institutions, innovative SMEs and spin-offs from Catalonia and France to present practical approaches and policy strategies supporting the transition towards circularity in the agrifood sector.

Catalonia’s bioeconomy strategy: A long-term vision for circularity

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Catalonia presented the Catalan Bioeconomy Strategy 2030 (EBC2030). Launched in 2021, the strategy promotes the use of local, renewable biological resources to produce goods and services across economic sectors. It focuses on underdeveloped areas of the bioeconomy and supports them through targeted institutional action.

The EBC2030 aligns with related strategies such as the Catalan Strategic Food Plan and the Roadmap of Circular Economy. It addresses four key value chains—forest management, organic waste recovery, food chain by-products, and resilient landscapes—through 15 transformative actions. These include the creation of Circular Bioeconomy Hubs, support for R&D, biomass management, and the development of circular business models.

SMEs driving circular innovation

Several Catalan SMEs showcased their innovative solutions:

• Phoenix Foods presented a biological process using the Hermetia illucens insect to transform food waste into organic fertilizer and protein-rich animal feed, effectively upcycling organic waste and closing nutrient loops in the food chain.

• Copiral, a family-owned SME, revalorizes by-products from agrifood industries (e.g., bakeries, mills) into high-quality raw materials for animal feed—an example of circular economy in waste reduction and resource recovery.

• Ecomemb, a spin-off company, demonstrated its patented technology for regenerating reverse osmosis membranes used in water treatment. By extending membrane life, it significantly reduces plastic waste and CO₂ emissions.

• Bio2Coat introduced its 100% natural edible coating technology designed to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables while eliminating the need for plastic packaging. This solution contributes to reducing food loss and improving the environmental performance of the agrifood supply chain.

European collaboration on water reuse

From France, Ecofilae (Occitanie) shared best practices in water recycling and reuse within the agrifood sector. The company supports businesses in reducing their water footprint by designing tailored water reuse systems, conducting flow analyses, and navigating regulatory frameworks. Its services allow industries to replace freshwater with treated process water for cleaning purposes—especially relevant under the new French legislation.

Watch the full webinar here