by cidaut | Mar 15, 2018 | Sin categoría
In the framework of the process of the Circular Economy Strategy and the Bioeconomy Plan, promoted by the Regional Government of Castilla y León through the Ministry of Development and Environment and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, respectively, a cycle of dissemination days and a meeting point for the development of projects and initiatives was launched in the end of 2017.
The last meeting took place on February 22, 2018: “Circular Economy and Bioeconomy: closing the cycle of organic matter: from bio-waste to bioproducts” in the PRAE building of Valladolid and was organized by the Institute for Business Competitiveness of Castilla y León (ICE). CIDAUT had the opportunity to attendas well as to exchange impressions and opinions on the use of organic matter in line with the principles of the Circular Economy.
The day brought together a group of papers aimed at highlighting the potential use of bio-waste and its organic matter as a raw material for the productive cycle or the natural cycle (nutrients, proteins, etc.), regarding the remains of agricultural or forestry operations, such as solid domestic or commercial waste and the remains of agro-food industries.
Among these uses fertilizers, compost or the production of biofuels and energy were highlighted as the most basic ones. The interest to obtain products with higher added value such as new foods, new materials or compounds for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic or other industries was also mentioned. The problem associated with the use of the organic fraction of the municipal solid waste from non-selective collection composted was highlighted. This problem is the one dealt with in the VALORCOMP project in which CIDAUT participates.
Tags: Circular Economy, residues, bioeconomy
by cidaut | Jan 19, 2018 | Energy
Different events on Circular Economy have taken place in the last months in Valladolid and CIDAUT took the opportunity to participate in them.
Entrepreneurs from all over the country gathered on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th of November in Valladolid to promote an innovative model of a more responsible economy. The Agency of Innovation and Economic Development of Valladolid celebrated this weekend the first edition of Circularweekend, a national innovation meeting to learn to launch ideas with circular business models, modernize companies implementing more efficient processes in the use of resources and get in touch with all the agents of the circular economy ecosystem.
Attendees of the “Circularweekend” conference.
The meeting, organized by Enviroo and aimed at making the concept of circular economy more practical, has had workshops to solve the challenges of this type of economic model and launch new projects.
CIDAUT was present in the first day and with its participation helped to promote in this way an innovative model of economy based on the value of products, materials and resources being kept in the economy for as long as possible, thus helping to minimize the generation of waste.
Moreover, CIDAUT has participated in the conference on “Circular Economy: New models of production and consumption” organized by the Institute for Business Competitiveness of Castilla y León (ICE) on 29th of November. It took place at PRAE (Environmental and Educational Proposals) facilities in Valladolid. This initiative is part of the Circular Economy and Bioeconomy Strategy, promoted by the Government of Castilla y León through the Departments of Development and Environment and Economy and Finance, respectively. More specifically, it belongs to the activity of dissemination of the Circular Economy and the bioeconomy between the society of Castile and Leon in order to promote initiatives in cooperation.
The attendance and participation in these conferences by CIDAUT has allowed knowing in greater depth the framework of work on the use of waste within the scope of the circular economy, as well as the main barriers and opportunities that they generate.
Tags: Circular Economy, residues
by cidaut | Nov 17, 2016 | Sin categoría
Last October 28th, the Automotive Cluster of Castilla y León (FACYL) organized a working day focused on Energy and Environment in the automotive sector: “Meeting of Strategic Reflection: Energy and Environment Working Groups”. The meeting was divided into two sections, so that the first turned around challenges and opportunities for the automotive sector in the area of Energy, while the second focused on the new regulations on waste transport, the Circular Economy and the challenges and opportunities in the area of Environment for automotive companies.
In addition to participating in the discussions on both sections, CIDAUT participated very actively as speaker within the Environment group where we conducted the conference about Circular Economy: “CIDAUT’s Approach and Experiences”. The conference began with a brief general explanation about the Circular Economy, as well as its bases and objectives, to later review several projects in which CIDAUT applies this philosophy.
The European Environment Agency (EEA)’s publication The European environment-State and outlook 2015 highlights‘ stimulating resource-efficient, low-carbon economic and social development is considered as essential to achieving the 2050 vision of ‘living well within the limits of the planet’ as set out in the European Union (EU)’s 7th Environment Action Programme. This requires Europe and the rest of the world to move away from the current linear economic model of take-make-consume-dispose, which relies on large quantities of easily accessible resources and energy, to a circular model in which planetary boundaries are respected through resource conservation and by maximising the use of resources already available within the economy. The concept of a circular economy has recently gained traction in European policymaking as a positive, solutions-based perspective for achieving economic development within increasing environmental constraints.
The concept of Circular Economy is widely used in CIDAUT from the definition and approach of the projects where the main objective is to give value to those materials that are considered waste and that still can enter in the circle. To achieve this goal it is necessary the development of technology, role played by CIDAUT as the main actor. During the conference, a review of several projects developed by CIDAUT was presented. These projects are related with the recovery of high performance aluminum, obtaining rare earth elements – magnesium alloys, as well as the recovery of plastics with improved properties or the obtaining of chemical or plastics from waste: waste-to-chemicals.
To conclude, a final review of the opportunities in Horizon2020 programmes was performed, as well as the different topics and calls open to develop ideas and projects encouraged by EC in this so interesting and necessary field that is Circular Economy.
