The fisheries and aquaculture sector generates millions of tonnes of by-products each year, including skin, scales, and bones, many of which go underutilised. Globally, up to two-thirds of caught fish (by weight) is discarded as waste, posing both…
The ONE EARTH project demonstrates an innovative climate-friendly solution: using CO₂-rich gases from fermentation as an input for microalgae cultivation. Instead of releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, the CO₂…
Cheese whey, by-product of cheese making, is one of the largest waste streams in the dairy industry. In 2022, the EU produced over 55 million tons of whey. Rather than posing an environmental challenge, this lactose-rich effluent can be transformed into…
The ONE EARTH project is closely aligned with European Union strategies such as the European Green Deal and the Bioeconomy Strategy, which aim to decouple economic growth from resource use and foster a circular economy. The EU defines the bioeconomy…
Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for plant growth and a key component of fertilizers used in agriculture…
The circular bioeconomy team
On July 17th, ONE EARTH co-organized and joined the first internal cluster workshop bringing together three Horizon Europe projects…
Ensuring Safety and Compliance in Bio-Based Innovations
As ONE EARTH advances the development of novel bio-based products, including nutraceuticals, cosmetics, adhesives, feeds, and fertilizers, ensuring their safety and regulatory compliance is a core priority. Each product undergoes dedicated testing in relevant environments to assess its safety, quality, and suitability for use.
Meeting EU Regulatory Standards
For instance, nutraceutical ingredients must comply with existing EU food safety laws and, if they are new to the food supply, may fall under the Novel Food Regulation. Cosmetic ingredients must meet the requirements of the EU Cosmetic Regulation, which mandates evidence of safety and prohibits certain substances. In the case of animal feed, all new components must be assessed under EU feed law, often involving evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
ONE EARTH integrates these requirements into its communication strategy to ensure transparency. All developed products are subject to rigorous evaluation processes, in line with the EU’s high standards for consumer health and environmental safety.
Beyond Compliance: Sustainability and Policy Alignment
Beyond compliance, the project also assesses the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of the entire value chain. This ensures that innovations are not only safe and technically viable but also beneficial for society and commercially scalable.
The EU regulatory landscape is also evolving to support circular bio-based products. For example, the 2019 EU Fertilising Products Regulation allows waste-derived fertilizers to receive CE marking and be sold across the EU single market, provided they meet defined quality criteria. ONE EARTH follows such policy developments to demonstrate that its bio-based solutions are aligned with current and emerging regulatory frameworks.
In summary, ONE EARTH embeds safety, regulatory compliance, and sustainability metrics into every stage of product development. This approach lays the foundation for public trust and supports the successful market introduction of new bio-based solutions.
A warm welcome to a new partner in the ONE EARTH project, Università di Parma (UNIPR)! With over a thousand years of academic tradition and a strong focus on innovation, UNIPR brings valuable expertise and a forward-thinking spirit to our growing consortium.
Science with a Purpose
UNIPR’s mission is to create knowledge, promote inclusive education, and share research with real-world impact. This aligns perfectly with ONE EARTH’s goal: building a sustainable, circular bioeconomy that benefits both people and the planet. The university’s researchers are active across the global scientific community and committed to tackling major societal and environmental challenges.
A Natural Fit for ONE EARTH
UNIPR will help strengthen our work in several areas:
- Fostering innovation in circular and bio-based value chains, from local biomass production to novel product development.
- Supporting local economies through sustainable business models and community-focused bioeconomy initiatives.
- Contributing to EU Green Deal ambitions, especially in creating carbon-neutral, resource-efficient, and socially inclusive solutions.
- Bridging science and society by promoting education, awareness, and capacity-building across all project activities.
From Academic Excellence to Practical Impact
UNIPR’s expertise in food systems, green innovation, and environmental sustainability makes it a strong asset for the project. The team will contribute to key work packages, including technology transfer, education, communication, and stakeholder engagement.
As ONE EARTH continues to expand, UNIPR’s contribution will help drive our shared mission forward — empowering communities and regions with smart, sustainable bioeconomy solutions.
We’re proud to have UNIPR on board and look forward to the journey ahead.
The ONE EARTH consortium convened online on 23 May 2025 for its General Assembly. Major advances in sustainable bio-based innovation were highlighted. From producing high-value polyunsaturated fatty acids to transforming waste into eco-friendly products, the project is making tangible strides toward a circular and inclusive bioeconomy.
The dynamic and dedicated project partners got together from across Europe to reflect on progress, share knowledge, and set the course for the next phase of our mission.
Breakthroughs in PUFA Production
The team reported significant progress in the production of high-value polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). These essential compounds, critical to human and animal nutrition, are being developed through optimised and scalable bioprocesses — a promising leap forward in sustainable innovation.
Turning Waste into Resources
Research efforts continue to bear fruit in transforming agro-industrial by-products into peptides and biofertilisers. These developments not only reduce waste but also support eco-friendly agricultural practices by providing sustainable alternatives to synthetic inputs — key to closing the loop in farming systems.
Communication and Outreach in Motion
The project’s communication team presented an ambitious and engaging roadmap to boost ONE EARTH’s visibility and reach. New content ideas, updated branding materials, and a renewed focus on stakeholder engagement aim to bring our science closer to people. As well as to amplify the project’s impact at local, national, and European levels.
Coordination and Compliance
Project coordination remains on track, with key discussions focusing on administrative updates and regulatory compliance. Notably, ongoing efforts to ensure alignment with the Nagoya Protocol were highlighted, reinforcing the project’s commitment to ethical and legally sound research practices.
Our Shared Mission
The ONE EARTH project is driven by a vision to support the transformation of the European bioeconomy into a more sustainable, circular, and inclusive model. The core objectives guiding our work include:
• Accelerating the deployment of innovative, bio-based value chains that are environmentally sound and socially inclusive.
• Converting biomass into high-value products such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, peptides, and biofertilisers.
• Enhancing resource efficiency and valorising agro-industrial waste and side-streams.
• Ensuring compliance with environmental and ethical standards, including the Nagoya Protocol.
• Promoting knowledge exchange and stakeholder engagement through effective communication and outreach.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward, the ONE EARTH consortium remains united by a shared vision: to co-create innovative bio-based solutions that protect our planet, empower communities, and drive sustainable economic growth.
General Assembly – Online Meeting, May 2025
On May 23, 2025, the dynamic and dedicated ONE EARTH consortium gathered online for our latest General Assembly meeting. Partners from across Europe came together to reflect on progress, share knowledge, and set the course for the next phase of our mission — advancing a circular and sustainable bioeconomy across the EU and beyond.
This virtual gathering underscored the power of collaboration, as each work package shared meaningful insights and updates, further strengthening our collective commitment to building resilient, inclusive, and bio-based solutions.
Our Shared Mission
The ONE EARTH project is driven by a vision to support the transformation of the European bioeconomy into a more sustainable, circular, and inclusive model. The core objectives guiding our work include:
- Accelerating the deployment of innovative, bio-based value chains that are environmentally sound and socially inclusive.
- Converting biomass into high-value products such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, peptides, and biofertilisers.
- Enhancing resource efficiency and valorising agro-industrial waste and side-streams.
- Ensuring compliance with environmental and ethical standards, including the Nagoya Protocol.
- Promoting knowledge exchange and stakeholder engagement through effective communication and outreach.
Breakthroughs in PUFA Production
The team reported significant progress in the production of high-value polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). These essential compounds, critical to human and animal nutrition, are being developed through optimised and scalable bioprocesses — a promising leap forward in sustainable innovation.
Turning Waste into Resources
Research efforts continue to bear fruit in transforming agro-industrial by-products into peptides and biofertilisers. These developments not only reduce waste but support eco-friendly agricultural practices by providing sustainable alternatives to synthetic inputs — key to closing the loop in farming systems.
Communication and Outreach in Motion
The project’s communication team presented an ambitious and engaging roadmap for boosting ONE EARTH’s visibility and reach. New content ideas, updated branding materials, and a renewed focus on stakeholder engagement aim to bring our science closer to people and promote the project’s impact at local, national, and European levels.
Coordination and Compliance
Project coordination remains on track, with key discussions focusing on administrative updates and regulatory compliance. Notably, ongoing efforts to ensure alignment with the Nagoya Protocol were highlighted, reinforcing the project’s commitment to ethical and legally sound research practices.
As we move forward, the ONE EARTH consortium remains united by a shared vision: to co-create innovative bio-based solutions that protect our planet, empower communities, and drive sustainable economic growth.
What if the future of skincare, fish feed, and green innovation started… with cheese? At ONE EARTH, we’re making it happen. How? By turning leftover cheese whey and CO₂ emissions into something extraordinary: PUFAs — polyunsaturated fatty acids that fuel health, nutrition, and sustainability.
Led by innovation powerhouse VITO, and powered by brilliant partners across Europe, this work is pushing circular bioeconomy to the next level.
What’s the Big Idea?
We’re building a cutting-edge biorefinery concept that:
- Turns dairy leftovers into valuable raw materials
- Recycles CO₂ instead of releasing it
- Creates PUFAs for fish feed, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals
- Reduces waste, emissions, and reliance on overfished marine resources
Yes, we’re literally feeding fish and fueling skincare — with cheese byproducts and CO₂!
What’s Happening Behind the Scenes?
STEP 1: WHEY BECOMES WONDER
We collect cheese whey from our partner Mambelli, and ferment it to produce VFAs (volatile fatty acids) — the building blocks for PUFA production.
STEP 2: MICROBES DO THE MAGIC
We introduce VFAs to specially selected bacteria and yeast that love to turn them into PUFA-rich microbial oils — like tiny bio-factories in action.
STEP 3: ALAGAE + CO₂ = PUFA BOOST
Instead of wasting carbon, we use it! Algae like Spirulina and Chlorella are grown on CO₂-rich gas, soaking it up while producing even more PUFAs. It’s green science in action.
STEP 4: BEAUTY GETS A BIO-UPGRADE
These oils are transformed into PUFA esters — premium ingredients for natural skincare and cosmetics. All with eco-friendly, enzyme-powered reactions.
STEP 5: SUSTAINABLE FISH FEED
We’re formulating and testing PUFA-rich fish feed for trout and seabass — replacing ocean-harvested ingredients with circular, land-based nutrition.
Why It Matters
This game-changing work helps us:
- Protect marine life by reducing the need for fish-derived PUFAs
- Cut emissions by using CO₂ as a resource, not a pollutant
- Eliminate dairy waste by giving whey a new, valuable life
- Support European innovation and SMEs in the green economy
This isn’t just biochemistry — it’s biorevolution.
With ONE EARTH, we’re showing that even a byproduct like cheese whey can help build a cleaner, smarter, and more circular world.