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 (approx. 85 M/y) is landfilled or incinerated, constituting 3% of total EU GHG emissions. Valorisation of mixed bio-waste from the agri-food sector is hindered by (1) technological challenges of removing impurities (e.g., plastics, cardboard, or metals) that would otherwise decrease the process quality, (2) logistics challenges of collecting seasonal, geographically dispersed feedstock that lower valorisation cost-benefit. MixMatters proposes an innovative system that efficiently separates and valorises three types of mixed bio-waste streams 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). The MixMatters system is modular and multi-purpose - 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 – separating the bio-waste at waste generation sites to avoid inefficient transportation of water and stream spoilage. 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) – to ensure result deployment. MixMatters will contribute to meeting the separation targets of the Waste Framework Directive (separated 6,240 t/y by one system at industrial scale).

Nano enabled components are essential key parts for microfluidic applications - mostly in form of nano-enabled surfaces (NES) and nano-enabled membranes (NEMs). However, crucial challenges hinder the transfer of NES and NEMs into commercial microfluidic devices. Current production technologies (e.g. injection moulding) don’t allow large volume upscaling of complex nano-patterned surfaces and the produced microfluidic components need to be handled in single pieces in all subsequent processes. Therefore, subsequent backend processing (nano-coatings, printing of nano-based inks, lamination of NEMs) demands for complex single peace handling operations. This restricts upscaling potential and process throughput. The proposed project NextGenMicrofluidics addresses this challenge with a platform for production of NES and NEMs based microfluidics on large area polymer foils. This approach enables upscaling to high throughput of 1 million devices per year and more. The polymer foil technology is complemented with classic technologies of injection moulding and wafer based glass and silicon processing. These core facilities are combined with essential backend processing steps like high resolution biomolecule printing with the worldwide first roll-to-roll microarray spotter, printing of nano-enabled inks, as well as coating and lamination processes. These unique facilities will be combined and upgraded to a platform for testing of upscaling of microfluidic use cases from TRL4 to TRL7. The services comprise device simulation, mastering of nanostructures, nanomaterial development, material testing, rapid prototyping, device testing, nano-safety assessment and support in regulatory and standardization issues. The platform will be opened for additional use cases from outside of the consortium, and is therefore called Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB). The operation of such use cases will form the basis for self-sufficient operation of the platform after the project duration of 4 years