Agri-food waste as a sustainable filler in biocomposites By Brahimi, S., Scolaro, C., Visco, A..

Industrial agri-food waste, such as olive pomace, citrus pulp, and brewer’s spent grain from breweries, is generated in vast quantities, amounting to millions of tons per year. The disposal of this waste poses significant challenges due to both the associated costs and the sheer volume that needs to be managed1,2. Previous attempts at utilizing these waste materials have involved repurposing them as animal feed, cosmetics ingredients, or fuel sources. However, issues have arisen within the zootechnics sector, as inadequately treated animal feed can give rise to the development of gases and bacteria, potentially compromising the health of the animals3. Given the limited options for reusing these agri-food wastes, we propose a novel approach repurposing them in combination with bioplastics derived from renewable sources to create a bio-compound. This research work primarily focuses on the analysis of waste materials, particularly brewer’s spent grain, which undergoes investigations into moisture levels, required shredding degrees, and chemical-physical-morphological properties. These analyses are conducted prior to incorporating the waste materials into polymeric matrices. Additionally, through the support of the Life Restart project4,5, which receives co-financing from the European Community, we have developed a pilot plant, the first of its kind in Italy, specifically designed for the treatment of brewer spent grain. The study showcases several blends and prototypes of objects produced using the bio-compound. Furthermore, studies are already underway to explore the potential transferability of this process to other waste products.