On May 21st, the 4th DG GROW workshop titled “Next Steps in Advancing Bio-based Products and Materials” took place, marking another significant milestone in the journey towards a more sustainable future. Conducted in a hybrid format, with an offline component held in Brussels at the Congress Centre Albert Borschette and an online segment, the workshop provided a dynamic platform for insightful discussions and exchanges.

The discussion kicked off with an opening by Kristin Schreiber, Director of DG GROW at the European Commission. Schreiber shed light on the industry-related actions outlined in the EU Biotech and Biomanufacturing Initiative, setting the stage for the engaging conversations that followed.

Mariella Masselink, Head of Unit at DG GROW.D.2, presented the Biotech Hub and potential support tools and networks available for biotech initiatives. Her insights provided valuable perspectives on navigating regulatory frameworks and scaling up bio-based companies effectively.

Participants delved into discussions about sectors within the bio-based industry that may have been overlooked in the Initiative. They also identified challenges and opportunities that require special attention, fostering a collaborative environment for brainstorming solutions.

Addressing Key Topics

Throughout the workshop, various topics were explored, including:

Utilization of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) or similar initiatives and key takeaways from these experiences.

Strategies to stimulate market demand and uptake of bio-based materials and products.

Prioritization of actions outlined in the Initiative, such as LCA & PEF methodologies and minimum bio-based content requirements.

Boosting research and innovation to reduce time-to-market for innovative products.

Strengthening the industrial dimension of the bioeconomy in the EU Bioeconomy Strategy update and related policies.

Enhancing the connection between the Bioeconomy Strategy and biotech and biomanufacturing sectors.

The workshop concluded with a sense of optimism and determination to drive positive change in the bio-based industry. Participants left with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead and a renewed commitment to advancing sustainable solutions.

On May 17th, 2024, the CARINA project’s partner, Cooperativas Agro-Alimentarias de España, travelled to Blancas (Teruel) to delve into the world of carinata cultivation. At a trial field belonging to a member of the Cereales Teruel cooperative, the team witnessed firsthand the development of this resilient crop under direct sowing conditions, despite recent frosts during the flowering stage.

This excursion provided a unique opportunity for Cooperativas Agro-Alimentarias de España to showcase the European project, CARINA project, and shed light on the principals of carinata cultivation. Engaging with stakeholders, the team delved into the main agronomic aspects of carinata cultivation, offering insights into its evolution during the initial season.

Participating in the CARINA project goes beyond mere observation; it’s about collaborative learning and knowledge-sharing. By collaborating with farmers and stakeholders, Cooperativas Agro-Alimentarias de España gained invaluable insights into the challenges and successes of carinata cultivation. This firsthand experience, guided by the expertise of local farmers, adds depth and richness to the project’s efforts.

As the CARINA project continues to unfold, partnerships and field experiences like these remain integral to its success. By bridging the gap between research and practice, the project aims to drive forward sustainable agriculture initiatives that benefit both farmers and the environment.

On May 16th, 2024, Cooperativas Agro-Alimentarias de España, a partner of the CARINA project, took part in Cultiva Day 2024, held in Somontano de Barbastro (Huesca). This event, organized by the Government of Aragon, Arax Network, and Cooperativas Agro-Alimentarias de España and Aragon, drew an impressive crowd of about 1,500 attendees.

At Cultiva Day 2024, visitors had the opportunity to delve into the world of alternative crops, as well as find out more about camelina. Cooperativas Agro-Alimentarias de España explored camelina alongside Camelina Company España, shedding light on its potential as an alternative crop within the CARINA project.

Cooperativas Agro-Alimentarias de España shared insights of camelina cultivation and its role within the broader framework of sustainable agriculture. Their participation in Cultiva Day 2024 provided a valuable platform to showcase the ongoing efforts of the CARINA project and its commitment to shaping the future of agriculture.

Camelina Company recently organized two significant lighthouse events under the CARINA project, bringing together farmers, researchers, and stakeholders at demo field trials. These events provided a platform to present the project, facilitate discussions, and distribute surveys for T5.2 in collaboration with Cooperativas Agroalimentarias and their regional federations.

The first lighthouse occurred on 8th of May 2024 in Penelles, Lleida province. This event focused on double cropping, with 16 farmers attending. All attendees were men, three of them having experience in cultivating camelina.

The second lighthouse took place on 10th of May 2024 at the IMIDRA Experimental Farm in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid province. This event centered on intercropping, attracting around 25 participants, with 50% being women. During this lighthouse, attendees discussed the challenges and difficulties related to intercropping sowing and harvest.

Both events included a short presentation about the crop, Camelina Company, and the EU projects 4CEMED & UNTWIST, highlighting their main results and achievements.

These lighthouses play a crucial role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and engaging the farming community in innovative solutions.

On April 26th, the CARINA Field Day was held at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Rimski Šančevi, Serbia. This event brought together a diverse group of agricultural enthusiasts, including researchers, academic professors, producers, and students, all united by a shared passion for advancing agricultural innovation.

Participants had the opportunity to visit field trials showcasing various cropping management techniques such as double cropping, intercropping, and relay cropping. Relay cropping, a method of maximizing land utilization and enhancing crop productivity, is gaining popularity. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Ana Marjanović Jeromela, participants received detailed insights into the agricultural practices applied to the experimental fields.

The field trials demonstrated relay cropping combinations of winter barley with carinata and winter pea with carinata, as well as intercropping of winter pea with camelina and spring barley with carinata. The double cropping experiments featuring camelina as both a cash cover crop and food crop were particularly appealing, showcasing an innovative system to increase income while maintaining soil quality and promoting biodiversity.

Participants also observed trials from WP2, which included testing various formulations on winter pea against aphids. In this trial, 11 formulations provided by KIMITEC were applied according to EPPO standards. Additionally, the event featured a visit to the greenhouse, where experimental results on the effects of several bioherbicides on weeds such as Amaranthus retroflexus and Ambrosia artemisiifolia were presented, highlighting which formulations had phytotoxic effects.

The CARINA Field Day was a great opportunity to present new cropping systems, foster innovation, and promote sustainability. It successfully demonstrated the potential of advanced agricultural practices to enhance productivity and environmental stewardship.