{"id":30762,"date":"2023-11-02T12:17:36","date_gmt":"2023-11-02T11:17:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagralim.be\/?post_type=dt_portfolio&p=30762"},"modified":"2026-04-22T12:15:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T10:15:25","slug":"mixmatters","status":"publish","type":"dt_portfolio","link":"https:\/\/www.wagralim.be\/en\/nos-projets-innovation\/mixmatters\/","title":{"rendered":"MIXMATTERS"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Smart and flexible Separation and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Valorisation<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0of mixed bio-waste from along the agri-food value chain.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Mixed bio-waste generated along the agri-food value chain is an abundant resource, rich in valuable compounds e.g., polysaccharides or polyphenolic constituents. Yet, its potential as a source of recycled components is untapped – 75% of the generated bio-waste<\/strong> (approx. 85 M\/y) is landfilled or incinerated, constituting 3% of total EU GHG emissions.<\/p>\n

Valorisation of mixed bio-waste from the agri-food sector is hindered by:<\/p>\n

1) technological challenges of removing impurities<\/strong> (e.g., plastics, cardboard, or metals) that would otherwise decrease the process quality,<\/p>\n

2) logistics challenges of collecting seasonal, geographically dispersed feedstock<\/strong> that lower valorisation cost-benefit.<\/p>\n

The project will last 4 years and has a budget of 5 651 163.50 euros.<\/p>\n

Objectives<\/h2>\n

MixMatters proposes an innovative system<\/strong> that efficiently separates and valorises three types of mixed bio-waste streams<\/strong> containing impurities from the agri-food industry (wholesale markets, greenhouses, food and drink industry) and obtains six high value-added outputs (powder ingredients, sugar concentrates, recombinant proteins, green fibres, bioactive compounds, plastic monomers).<\/p>\n

The MixMatters system is modular and multi-purpose<\/strong> – able to treat a range of mixed bio-waste streams (ensuring feedstock supply). The separation stage is automated, integrating advanced robotics and AI. It is also containerised \u2013 separating the bio-waste at waste generation sites to avoid inefficient transportation of water and stream spoilage.<\/p>\n

The system functioning is optimised via a Decision Support while transparency + traceability are ensured via a Digital Product Passport. In the project, the system will be demonstrated during 15 months at three waste generation sites, along with output validation with 6 bio-based industries and active involvement of value chain actors (partner networks outreach + 2,280 members) \u2013 to ensure result deployment.<\/p>\n

MixMatters will contribute to meeting the separation targets<\/strong> of the Waste Framework Directive (separated 6,240 t\/y by one system at industrial scale).<\/p>\n

Tools developped and support<\/h2>\n

Within MixMatters, several innovative tools and solutions are being developed:<\/p>\n