Extremadura Living Lab advances towards a sustainable biorefinery model
From agricultural by-products to high-value bio-based products: the Extremadura Living Lab is bringing together regional stakeholders to shape the future of a biorefinery in the region.
Led by FUNDECYT-PCTEX, with Carlos M. Cabo heading the regional Living Lab, the initiative brings together actors from across the olive oil, wine and stone fruit sectors. The Living Lab follows a quadruple-helix approach, connecting academia, industry, public authorities, cooperatives and community actors, alongside research centres, end-users and other organisations supporting innovation in Extremadura.
Since the beginning of 2025, three workshops have provided a space for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, identify challenges and explore opportunities for the valorisation of agricultural by-products.
The first workshop, held on 21 January 2025 in Almendralejo, introduced the ROBOCOOP-EU project and explored the available raw materials, potential biomolecules and possible business models for a future biorefinery. Stakeholders highlighted challenges related to logistics and transport costs, waste management, regulation and the need to strengthen cooperation and proactivity across the sector.
The second workshop, on 27 March 2025, moved the discussion towards the technical and economic potential of by-product valorisation. Participants examined biomolecules of interest, their potential markets and prices, pre-treatment requirements, extraction technologies and the associated investment and operating costs. The discussions showed strong stakeholder interest in becoming part of a biorefinery, provided that the model is economically viable.
The third workshop, held online on 17 June 2025, focused on the transition from technical development towards implementation. Project partners presented progress on scalability, processing technologies and costs, while the Regional Government of Extremadura presented available funding and investment support. Four potential business models were also discussed: Upgrade, Biomass, Cooperative Model and Industrial Cluster.
The three workshops have confirmed strong stakeholder interest in the valorisation of agricultural by-products and significant technical progress towards a future biorefinery. Three valorisation lines have been identified for polar compounds, non-polar compounds and other macromolecules, while further work is needed to determine the most appropriate business model and configuration.
The work continues. The next phase will involve working closely with Living Lab members to assess the proposed business models in terms of investment, technical and economic management, market access and governance. The fourth workshop will focus on the market for bio-based products, bringing the Extremadura Living Lab one step closer to defining a realistic, sustainable and profitable pathway for a regional biorefinery.
