LOCATION
Extremadura: An agrifood based region committed to the green and circular economy transition.
The transition towards a green and circular economy in Extremadura faces challenges related
to new productive models, measures on the industrial fabric and R&D&I, amomg others, in a context
of demographic threat.
From the SustaiNext point of view, those challenges also represent opportunities as changes throughout the value chain of each of the productive sectors of the regional economy will be required, from product design to new business models, new forms of recycling and use of resources.
The aim of the project is to contribute to adding value from an innovative and sustainable approach.
INNOVATION
SustaiNext aims to transform Natac’s current production plant, located in Hervás in the North of Extremadura, into the most modern, digital, innovative and sustainable plant extracts factory in the world, placing the company and the region at the forefront of the sector at a global level.
This circular and disruptive model is based on the DYANA concept, an analytical, dynamic, and intelligent extract factory that seamlessly integrates the entire supply chain from raw materials to end-users, enabling cascading valorisation of the feedstock. Batch-optimised based on the initial feedstock composition, it delivers maximum value with twin goals of zero waste and zero emissions.
FEEDSTOCK AND PRODUCTS
SustaiNext will be industrially deployed with six sustainably and locally sourced European feedstocks:
three agro-industrial side-streams (olive, artichoke/cardoon, and pomegranate) and three medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) (camomile, rosemary, and lemon verbena).
SustaiNext will use 6 feedstocks to develop 12 valorisation routes to yield 46 plant-based healthy extracts and functional ingredients out of which 13 are totally new in the world and 12 are newly produced in Europe. These ingredients to be used in target high prized markets:
98% of tobacco cultivation in Spain takes place in Extremadura, with 8,664 hectares in total.
Currently, this industry is looking for new alternatives that provide economic viability to croplands (traditionally cultivated with tobacco) and achieve greater social acceptance through new and healthier crops.
This is where medicinal and aromatic plants come into play, emerging as a viable and profitable opportunity.
