Fish farming cages in Velfjorden, Norway. From sludge to fertilisers, from shells to compostable nets: aquaculture waste becomes a resource for agriculture. Photo: Thomas Bjørkan CC BY-SA 3.0Photo: Thomas Bjørkan CC BY-SA 3.0

From aquaculture to agriculture, waste recovery connects value chains

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From sea to farmland, recovering value from by-products opens up new opportunities for agriculture and other industries. But circularity, an EU report stresses, requires collaboration throughout the value chain
Repurposing agricultural waste by transforming it into biopolymers and other biomaterials for use in farming is a viable solution to counter the excessive use of conventional plastics in agricultural soils. PHOTO: Siggy Nowak from Pixabay

Utilizing agricultural waste to reduce plastic in soils

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The European project SOUL has concluded its first year of activity. Seventeen partners are working to develop 11 innovative products, each composed of at least 95% renewable raw materials. Field trials are planned in five European countries
Indigo-colored polluted water in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Removing synthetic dyes from industrial wastewater is complicated by the chemical stability of many of these substances. Photo: Oded Gilad, CC BY-SA 4.0Oded Gilad, CC BY-SA 4.0

Bulrush waste could help remove dyes from wastewater

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Researchers at Doshisha University in Japan have developed a new product that puts plant waste to use and removes dyes from water. A new opportunity for the circular bioeconomy

Compostable bioplastic residues do not accumulate in soil

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An international study fills one of the major scientific knowledge gaps surrounding compostable bioplastics. Any microfragments that may remain after industrial composting do not persist in the soil but continue to biodegrade thanks to microbial activity
Cover manuale "Buone pratiche che curano il suolo"

Soil erosion, drought and fertility loss: the practices that can help save the land

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On World Day to Combat Desertification 2026, a new report showcases real-world solutions from researchers, farmers and experts. At its core is the Lighthouse Farms network led by Re Soil Foundation
On 27 May in Brussels, a meeting of the promoters of seven EU initiatives to identify opportunities and develop operational recommendations for the advancement of the rural bioeconomy. Image: © 2026 BBioNets consortium Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International CC BY-NC 4.0 DeedBBioNets consortium Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International CC BY-NC 4.0 Deed

From local action to European strategy: a Policy Lab for the bioeconomy

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On 27 May in Brussels, a meeting of seven EU-funded initiatives. The aim: to bridge the gap between local experimentation and European policymaking, and to deliver actionable recommendations for the rural bioeconomy
Announced in February this year, the SOUL bioproducts project brings together 16 partners from five EU countries, including Spain's Fundación AITIIP (coordinator of the initiative) and Italy's Novamont, Re Soil Foundation, and Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna. In the photo: SOUL experts at the kick-off meeting. Image: SOULSOUL

SOUL project gets started, five EU countries will test new bio-based products

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The initiative brings together 16 partners for the development and field testing of new-generation products designed to biodegrade in the soil at the end of their life cycle, thus minimizing their environmental impact
FOTO: Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay

“The new Bioeconomy Strategy is a step forward for the EU’s economic future”

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David Newman (European Bioeconomy Bureau): "The document acknowledges past mistakes and seeks to correct them, also to avoid missing the train of opportunities that bioeconomy offers". But some aspects are worrying, starting with the lack of market-pull mechanisms to stimulate industrial innovation
The new Bioeconomy Strategy formulated by the European Commission aims to promote green growth, competitiveness, and resilience in the EU. PHOTO: Iván Tamás by PixabayIván Tamás by Pixabay

Bioeconomy: The EU Commission presents its new strategy

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The document aims to increase the Union's competitiveness through the development of the various sectors of the bioeconomy, a meta-sector that is already worth 2,700 billion and employs over 17 million people (8% of total employment)
The fourth edition of the States General of the Green Economy for soil health is scheduled for November 6 in Rimini during Ecomondo. Photo: Ecomondo, media kitPhoto: Ecomondo, media kit

States General for soil health: circular bioeconomy and soil regeneration are the main issues of 4th edition

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On November 6, the Ecomondo exhibition in Rimini (Italy) will host the annual event organized by the Re Soil Foundation in cooperation with the event's Technical Committee and the National Bioeconomy Coordination Board. Main themes are circular bioeconomy, regeneration, European policies, and ongoing projects