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The BETA TC participates in five new operational groups funded by the Rural Development Program of Catalonia

The operational groups bring together for two years several partners from the agri-food sector with common interests around an innovation project,

The BETA Technology Center of UVic-UCC will participate in five new operational groups of the European Innovation Partnership, funded through the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda (DAAC) of the Generalitat de Catalunya, in the framework of its Rural Development Program. The operational groups bring together for two years several partners from the agri-food sector with common interests around an innovation project, and are made up of one or more companies and research centers. The following operational groups have been funded: FERTIECO, CompVitiCoop, Proximity Circular Bioeconomy, Bioferti+ and REAQUA.

FERTIECO will be based on the implementation of hyperthermophilic composting to obtain organic fertilizer from the solid fraction of pig slurry. The cluster includes Agrocat, Gepork, Selección Batallé, Embutidos Salgot and Cooperativa Plana de Vic. It also includes the INNOVACC cluster and the ICRA research center.

CompVitiCoop will focus on the implementation of composting to close the organic matter cycle in the cooperative wine sector. COVIDES, the CEVIPE Cooperative Group and the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of Catalonia are members.

“Proximity circular bioeconomy” is an operational group focused on the improvement and optimization of organic fertilization in organic and conventional vineyards. Juvé & Camps, ADV Sant Martí Penedès Superior, Granjas Terragrisa, Selección Deseuras, BETARA and Cooperativa Agraria de Torelló will participate. The INNOVI cluster and INCAVI, the Catalan Wine Institute, will also participate.

Bioferti+ will analyze the production of a tailor-made pelletized biofertilizer for woody crops as a strategy for the valorization of composted manure and other organic by-products. It brings together the Cooperativa Plana de Vic, Grans del Lluçanès, COVIDES, Girona Fruits and the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of Catalonia.

REAQUA will focus on innovative strategies for water reuse in the meat industry, based on the evaluation of technical, economic and regulatory constraints to ensure its safe use, and the creation of a technical reference guide. The task force will bring together several companies from the meat sector: Olot Meats, the Avignon and Cardoner slaughterhouses, and the J. VIÑAS unpacking room, in addition to the INNOVACC cluster and the ICRA water research center.