At the heart of CARINA are two novel oilseed crops, carinata and camelina, uniquely positioned to provide low iLUC feedstocks for the bio-based economy. Their adaptability allows successful cultivation across Europe and northern Africa. Extracting high-quality oils from these crops opens doors to innovative bio-based products, including bioherbicides and bioplastics. The project strategically plans to capitalize on the co-product – a protein-rich cake – as animal feed, alongside numerous high-value products derived from mucilage and glucosinolates. 

CARINA aims to achieve specific objectives by October 2026: 

1. Identify and promote innovative, diversified, and sustainable farming systems. 
2. Produce innovative biochemicals (monomers and polymers) from camelina and carinata. 
3. Provide policy recommendations to encourage sustainable agricultural systems for the bioeconomy. 
4. Evaluate economic profitability and environmental impacts associated with new cropping systems. 
5. Showcase the replicability potential of CARINA systems across Europe. 
6. Promote awareness along the value chain through direct engagement in social innovation.