Circular and Inclusive Value Chains for Sustainable Protein Production in the Mediterranean»
Description
The CIPROMED project utilizes advanced, hybrid bio-based technologies to convert agrifood side-streams into sustainable, alternative protein sources. At its technological core, the process converts agricultural and food-industry by-products into optimized feedstocks to cultivate microalgae and mass-rear beneficial insects. These biological organisms undergo downstream biorefinery extraction and innovative microbial fermentation techniques to isolate high-purity protein fractions. Ultimately, these bio-based extraction methods yield functional alternative protein concentrates and rich bioactive compounds designed directly for commercial human food and animal feed formulations.
Sector
A1.5Mixed farming
Needs/ Problem statement
The Mediterranean agrifood sector heavily depends on imported proteins, which threatens food security and increases carbon emissions, while immense volumes of local agricultural by-products are completely wasted. To solve this, the region urgently needs scalable bio-based technologies—such as microbial fermentation, biorefinery extraction, and insect and microalgae cultivation—to safely transform underutilized local waste into high-purity alternative protein concentrates.
Objective
The main objective of CIPROMED is to establish sustainable, circular agrifood value chains in the Mediterranean by deploying advanced bio-based technologies to produce alternative proteins. Specifically, the project aims to optimize microbial fermentation, biorefinery extraction, and insect and microalgae cultivation to transform local agricultural waste into high-purity protein concentrates. By validating these decentralized processing methods, the initiative seeks to replace imported proteins, minimize regional food waste, and enhance the economic and environmental resilience of Mediterranean supply chains.
Bioeconomy fields
Crop residues and perennial plantsx
Designer crops for optimised biomass contentnull
Algae biomassx
Waste or recycled materialnull
Microbial assisted processingnull
Biorefineries x
Feedstock
Biomass
Outcomes and final product
The CIPROMED project delivers high-purity alternative protein concentrates for human food and animal feed to substitute resource-intensive protein imports in the Mediterranean market. Utilizing advanced biorefinery extraction and fermentation on agrifood waste, the final products include nutrient-dense insect-derived protein powders for human foods like bakery and pasta, alongside formulated high-performance compound feeds developed for the livestock and aquaculture industries. Beyond these physical commodities, the final outcomes establish automated insect-rearing protocols optimized by the University of Thessaly and replicable business blueprints that allow local Mediterranean cooperatives to deploy decentralized protein biorefineries.
Mobility
null
Value chains
1
2
3
1- Low potential - Low to medium arisings of feedstock available between 2023-2035
C Sink
1
2
3
1 - Low potential - low potential for carbon sequestration
Intended user
The primary intended users of CIPROMED\'s innovations are Mediterranean agricultural cooperatives, animal feed manufacturers, food processing SMEs, and rural tech entrepreneurs seeking local, alternative protein sources. Terms of access follow a structured open-innovation approach, providing external stakeholders with funded or public access to the validated technical blueprints, automated insect-rearing protocols, and business models developed by the consortium. Additionally, the digital tools, regional feasibility data, and circular agrifood frameworks are shared through open-access repositories and Mediterranean innovation platforms to maximize commercial adoption and reduce the region\'s reliance on protein imports.
Complexity of the process
1
2
3
4 - very complex application (conditions)
Final user
FarmerY
Foresternull
Researchernull
Advisornull
NGOnull
Training organizationnull
Processor or retailerx
Consumerx
Public Authority + LAGnull
Otherx
Economic sustainability
1
2
3
1 - Low potential - doesn\'t bring any economic benefits.
Social sustainability
1
2
3
2 - Medium potential -Expected to bring 2 or 1 social benefits.
Environmental sustainability
1
2
3
2 - Medium potential - Expected to bring 2 or 1 environmental benefits.
