In collaboration with Sustainability Management Master’s students from ESADE Business School, VCG.ai led a research project to analyse circular bioeconomy opportunities in Catalonia, Spain.
The goal was to define circular bioeconomy business models and explore innovative uses of bio-based circular systems within the region’s predominant industries to tackle growing environmental and economic challenges.
Catalonia’s Industrial Landscape
The research highlighted Catalonia’s significant agrifood sector, which generates €48.23 billion annually and employs over 175,000 people – accounting for 19.7% of Catalonia’s GDP. The sector, especially the leading meat sub-sector, presents unique opportunities for implementing circular bioeconomy practices due to its substantial economic impact and resource utilisation.
Innovative Business Model Exploration through BioLinks®
The research highlighted high potential for circular bioeconomy strategies to bring about environmental and economic benefits, especially in the context of Catalonia’s increasingly arid climate.
Using Value Chain Generator®, the research team identified key bio-materials and processes suitable for Catalonia’s major industries, and developed four potential BioLink® models:
- BioLink 1: Transforming cattle manure waste into biochar via Pyrolysis.
- BioLink 2: Converting olive oil mill organic waste into biochar via Pyrolysis.
- BioLink 3: Transforming wine residual waste into biochar via Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC).
- BioLink 4: Converting vegetal residue waste into syngas via Gasification.
These models leverage prevalent waste outputs in the region, applying relevant processing technologies to create value-added products and foster circular industry practices.
Addressing the Water Crisis and Environmental Challenges
Catalonia’s ongoing water crisis, with 39 months without substantial rainfall leading to drought, underscores the necessity for innovation in water and waste management. Implementing BioLink® models, particularly converting cattle manure to biochar via pyrolysis, can significantly mitigate nitrate contamination from mismanaged manure, which currently pollutes 47% of subterranean water sources.
Benefits of Biochar through Pyrolysis
- Creation of Valuable By-products: Biochar enhances soil fertility, improves soil structure, and increases agricultural productivity. Its versatility also allows it to be used in water filtration, livestock feed, and construction, creating new revenue streams.
- Reduction of Nitrate Contamination: Pyrolysis stabilizes nitrogen in biochar, preventing nitrate leaching into groundwater, thus improving water quality.
- Mitigation of Water Scarcity: Pyrolysis is a dry process, ideal for water-scarce regions, and enhances soil water retention, benefiting agriculture.
- Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction: Pyrolysis captures carbon in biochar, reducing methane emissions and aiding in carbon sequestration.
- Economic Benefits and Policy Alignment: BioLink® models promote resource efficiency, material reuse, and waste recycling, aligning with Catalonia’s green economy strategy and EU policies. These models support economic recovery, competitiveness, job creation, and reduced environmental risks.
For more detailed insights and the full study, download the complete report here.
