The Circular IMTA-DEMO is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021–2027. Grant Number 2023JTF165.

Project Information

Funding Programme: DAFM-EU-JTF

Grant Number: 2023JTF165

Total Budget: €4,908,710.49

Duration: 60 Months (1st October 2024 – 30th September 2029)

Co-ordinator: Technological University of the Shannon – Midlands Campus

Principal Investigator: Prof. Neil Rowan

Partners: Technological University of the Shannon, University College Cork, Galway University, Teagasc, Indigo Rock Marine Research Centre, Derilinx, Office of Government Procurement

Scope

The CIRCULAR-IMTA-DEMO project focuses on integrated sustainable economic development by demonstrating production of commercial products (TRL 6+) using a holistic multi-actor approach for development of the Midlands Just Transition territory. This unique Midlands-located demonstration project will deploy digital tools for monitoring/managing optimal performance and digital twin/immersive extended reality (XR) training, unlocking new sustainable and climate-resilient pathways for vital economic development. This brings together key stakeholders (industry, primary producers, policymakers, local communities, academia) generating new products and jobs.

CIRCULAR-IMTA-DEMO exploits cascades from fish waste streams as biofertilisers to cultivate macroalgae and duckweed, where commercial products will be biorefined/valorised for feeds and foods using this commercial demo-circular-model; thus, enabling piloting, scaling and cooperation that addresses barriers and unlocks opportunities through cooperative activities.

CIRCULAR-IMTA-DEMO is embedded strongly in an educational provision, particularly training of stakeholders on-site/accelerators.

CIRCULAR-IMTA-DEMO will;

  • (a) Accelerate the innovation process and commercial development of bio-based products that focuses on testing/upscaling novel approaches for converting bio-based duckweed and macroalgae feedstock into technical and economically viable (sustainable) circular solutions.
  • (b) Develop appropriate innovation life cycles/plans tapping into extensive networks/clusters to optimise industry and primary-producer engagement to test tech and produce bio-based products at commercial scale.
  • (c) Monitor environmental and climate performance at this IMTA site for value chains. In-situ pilot demonstration for commercial production of high value feed and food products for different animal use including on-site hatchery/feed production delivering appropriate implementation, exploitation and communication plan serving needs of stakeholders. Feedstocks for bio-based operations respect local ecological limits and protects biodiversity/ecosystems-services.

CIRCULAR-IMTA-DEMO addresses appropriate cooperation to align natural capital, primary-production and circular-bioeconomy value-chains for optimal-impact.

Objectives
  1. Development and deployment of competitive, territorial, circular and inclusive bio-based business models in agri/food industry using peatland based IMTA site at Mount Lucas in Midlands Just Transition territory that harnesses all segments of the value chain using an integrated multi-actor framework.
  2. Demonstrative improved circularity and resource efficiency of high value agri-based resources via practical commercial technologies at IMTA site at Mount Lucas matched with climate neutral, zero waste principles.
  3. Contribute to reduced dependency of imported feedstocks and products through development of new production methods enabled by innovative breakthrough approaches.
  4. Improve and demonstrate social acceptance of circular bio-based solutions and products using appropriate business models using duckweed and macroalgae feedstock and interlinked cascades informed by digital technologies.
  5. Improve industrial competitiveness through developing new high-value products and innovation at scale, introducing marketing and organisation innovation, strategic autonomy and resource independence of bio-based value chains in JT territory.
  6. Increase resource efficiency by promoting cooperation of companies of different scales and other actors (RPO’s, policymakers, local communities, public/private investors) to move towards zero-waste, zero-pollution operations.
  7. Provide agile framework to inform and support companies and entrepreneurs in the development and de-risking of new technologies (green) and products.
  8. Develop materials and energy efficient processing and recirculation of flows towards a fully circular model with focus on agri/aquaculture carbon-rich waste streams, within industrial demonstration and extended production sites.
  9. Develop new skilled job opportunities and investments in the bio-based sectors in this Just Transition territory including development of capacities.
  10. Develop industry and primary producer network/ecosystem promoting optimised use and commercialisation of IMTA site.