Imagine planting crops that act like a safety net for the soil, growing in winter or on land where nothing else survives. These specific plants produce a high-quality oil and a protein-rich leftover 'cake'. Instead of wasting the leftovers, they are turned into animal feed or eco-friendly plastics and weed killers.
Farmers struggle to diversify crops on marginal lands without risking high investment or yield loss. Simultaneously, the bio-economy lacks sustainable, low-impact oilseed feedstocks for high-value chemical production.
A set of agronomic protocols for carinata and camelina and a blueprint for value chains producing bioherbicides, bioplastics, and animal feed.
If you are a bio-polymer manufacturer dealing with high costs of sustainable raw materials — this project developed a way to use carinata and camelina oils as feedstocks that provide high-quality oils for bioplastics. This allows for a circular bio-based value chain using low-impact crops.
If you are an agrochemical producer dealing with the need for greener alternatives to synthetic chemicals — this project developed bioherbicides and biostimulants derived from oilseed crops. These products utilize the natural properties of carinata and camelina to improve crop health.
If you are a feed mill operator dealing with the volatility of protein source prices — this project developed a method to valorize the protein-rich cakes left after oil extraction. These residues serve as a high-value animal feed alternative.
Based on available project data, the project aims for solutions that do not require substantial investment from farmers to ensure financial viability.
The project uses 9 Lighthouses and 5 Living Labs to test scalability, with a potential reach of 3 million farmers through partner cooperation.
Based on available project data, there is no specific mention of licensing terms or patent filings, though the project focuses on co-design and knowledge transfer.
The project period runs from 2022-11-01 to 2026-10-31, suggesting that full results and validated value chains will be available by late 2026.
The crops are designed to be easy-to-grow as autumn-winter intercrops or as main crops on marginal lands where conventional species fail.
The consortium is highly diversified with 24 partners across 13 countries, showing strong international market reach. It features a healthy mix of 7 industry partners and 10 SMEs (representing a 29% industry ratio), ensuring that the research is grounded in commercial reality rather than just academic theory.
Contact the University of Bologna (ALMA MATER STUDIORUM)
Contact us to connect with the CARINA consortium for bio-based feedstock sourcing.
