SciTransfer
AgroCycle · Project

Turning Farm Waste Into Profitable Bioenergy, Fertilisers, and Compounds

foodTestedTRL 7
agrocycle.eu

European farms produce about 700 million tonnes of waste every year — grape skins, olive pulp, manure, leftover crops. Most of it gets thrown away or costs money to dispose of. AgroCycle figured out practical ways to turn these waste streams from eight different agricultural sectors into useful products like bioenergy, biofertilisers, and valuable biochemical compounds. Think of it as turning your trash bin into a second production line.

By the numbers
700 million tonnes
Agricultural waste generated annually in Europe
10%
Targeted increase in waste recycling and valorisation by 2020
TRL 4 → TRL 7
Technology maturity advancement during the project
8
Agricultural sectors covered (wine, olive oil, horticulture, fruit, grassland, swine, dairy, poultry)
26
Consortium partners across 10 countries
25
Total project deliverables produced
The business problem

What needed solving

Europe generates 700 million tonnes of agricultural waste every year, and most of it costs money to dispose of rather than generating value. Farms and food processors across wine, dairy, poultry, olive oil, and other sectors face rising disposal costs and tightening environmental regulations. There is a massive gap between the waste being produced and the technology available to turn it into profitable products like bioenergy, fertilisers, and chemical compounds.

The solution

What was built

AgroCycle developed and piloted waste-to-value conversion pathways for eight agricultural sectors, producing 25 deliverables including technology demonstrations and a commercialisation roadmap. Key outputs include bioenergy, biofertiliser, and biocompound production methods advanced from approximately TRL 4 to TRL 7.

Audience

Who needs this

Wine producers and olive oil processors with high organic waste disposal costsDairy and poultry farm operators facing manure management regulationsBiorefinery companies seeking low-cost agricultural feedstockAgricultural cooperatives looking to add revenue streams from wasteWaste management companies serving the agricultural sector
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Wine and olive oil production
SME
Target: Wine estates and olive oil processors dealing with pomace and wastewater disposal costs

If you are a wine producer or olive oil processor paying to dispose of grape pomace or olive mill wastewater — this project developed tested pathways to convert those residues into bioenergy and biocompounds. AgroCycle specifically targeted wine and olive oil waste streams across its 26-partner consortium spanning 10 countries. Instead of a disposal cost, your waste becomes a revenue line.

Dairy and poultry farming
any
Target: Livestock operations struggling with manure management and disposal regulations

If you are a dairy or poultry farm operator facing tightening waste regulations and rising disposal costs — AgroCycle developed biofertiliser production pathways from animal waste that were advanced from roughly TRL 4 to TRL 7 during the project. The technologies turn manure into marketable soil products rather than a compliance headache. Seven industrial partners were involved in validating these approaches.

Biorefinery and green chemicals
mid-size
Target: Biorefinery operators and chemical companies seeking cheaper, sustainable feedstock

If you are a biorefinery or green chemistry company looking for low-cost agricultural feedstock — AgroCycle mapped waste streams across eight sectors (wine, olive oil, horticulture, fruit, grassland, swine, dairy, poultry) and piloted extraction of high-value biocompounds. With 700 million tonnes of agricultural waste generated annually in Europe, feedstock supply is not the bottleneck — processing technology was, and that is what this project addressed.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to implement these waste-to-value technologies?

The project data does not include specific implementation costs. However, AgroCycle involved 4 SMEs and 7 industrial partners, suggesting the solutions were designed with commercial viability in mind. A post-project commercialisation plan was developed to bring technologies to TRL 8-9, which would include cost modelling.

Can these technologies work at industrial scale?

AgroCycle aimed to advance technologies from approximately TRL 4 to TRL 7 — meaning from lab validation to system demonstration in a real operating environment. Seven industrial partners participated in testing. Full industrial scale (TRL 8-9) was planned for post-project commercialisation.

What is the IP and licensing situation?

Based on available project data, AgroCycle was a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) funded under Horizon 2020. IP would typically be shared among consortium partners according to their grant agreement. Contact the coordinator at University College Dublin to discuss licensing terms for specific technologies.

Which agricultural waste streams does this cover?

AgroCycle addressed waste from eight specific sectors: wine, olive oil, horticulture, fruit, grassland, swine, dairy, and poultry. Each sector had dedicated waste utilisation pathways developed and piloted during the project. The outputs include bioenergy, biofertilisers, and biocompounds.

How does this help with waste regulations?

Europe generates approximately 700 million tonnes of agricultural waste annually, and regulations on disposal are tightening across the EU. AgroCycle's valorisation pathways turn regulated waste into marketable products, potentially shifting your operation from compliance cost to revenue generation.

Is this ready to deploy now?

The project closed in May 2019 with technologies at approximately TRL 7. A commercialisation plan was created for bringing the most promising technologies to TRL 8-9. Some pathways may now be further developed by consortium partners — direct contact with the research team would clarify current status.

What kind of support is available for implementation?

The 26-partner consortium includes 7 industrial companies and advisory firms across 10 countries. A dedicated commercialisation plan was developed. SciTransfer can arrange introductions to the right consortium partner for your specific waste stream and region.

Consortium

Who built it

The AgroCycle consortium is large at 26 partners spread across 10 countries including China, giving it international reach and diverse agricultural contexts. The balance is roughly even between universities (7), research institutes (7), and industry (7), with 5 additional organisations. Four SMEs participated, and the 27% industry ratio shows meaningful commercial involvement, though the consortium leans research-heavy. The inclusion of three Chinese partners extends the applicability beyond European markets. For a business looking to adopt these technologies, the consortium offers multiple entry points — you can likely find a partner near your region and agricultural sector.

How to reach the team

University College Dublin, Ireland — SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the research team

Order a report on this consortiumSee UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN profile →
Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how AgroCycle waste-to-value technologies fit your specific agricultural waste stream? Contact SciTransfer for a tailored brief and introduction to the right consortium partner.

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