Spare

SPARE – Sustainable ways to use hemp holistically for innovative applications

Project goals & contents:

The SPARE project aims to develop applied research capacities for the holistic upgrading of hemp. The transfer of results and opportunities to companies in the primary, industrial and service sectors is to be promoted in a cross-cutting manner. In addition, circular supply chains are supported in connection with innovative applications in various reference sectors (sustainable materials, food and tourism, sustainable textiles, but also end-of-life use as biomass for energy production or other purposes). Three research institutions with complementary expertise and two companies with great potential for multiplying and disseminating results will identify replicable applications for the sustainable use of hemp and its components and ingredients. These are in line with the potential for new supply chains in the border region and will be promoted through pilot trials and prototyping activities. The project will contribute to the development of the circular economy in FVG, Veneto, Carinthia and Tyrol and to raising awareness of these strategic issues among stakeholders.

(expected) project results:

The five SPARE project partners will continue to work together after the end of the project. In particular, the research institutions ‘De Claricini Dornpacher Foundation’ and ‘Consortia Centre’ and their respective regional stakeholders and partners will support the optimal use of the project results and the activation of circular business models and new business opportunities related to the holistic utilisation of hemp. The research institutions will be able to jointly develop future research projects that implement demonstration case studies in FVG, Veneto, Carinthia and Tyrol.

Added value will be generated for:

ENTERPRISES – Agricultural and processing companies linked to hemp, industrial and service companies linked to the new value chains upgraded for innovative hemp applications (food and tourism, sustainable and composite materials, textiles, green buildings, etc.) will benefit from the results of the actions.

ASSOCIATIONS – Associations and consortia involved in the cultivation and valorisation of hemp and its end uses will benefit from the results of the actions.

PROFESSIONALS – experts and professionals who can contribute to the project’s reference value chains – will benefit from the results of the actions.

BUSINESS INTERMEDIATORS – clusters, institutions and agencies that support business innovation and can communicate new opportunities to companies in their respective areas identified by the SPARE project partners.

PUBLIC BODIES – public bodies that will be supported in their policies to promote the circular economy and sustainability thanks to the results of the SPARE project.

RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS – which will be able to strengthen their capacities and know-how thanks to the results of the applied research and prototyping activities carried out during the project.

OTHER: – SCHOOLS – some partners will ensure the dissemination and transfer of information to raise schools’ awareness of hemp and the opportunities it offers for a circular economy.

SPARE contributes to this: – European Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan (which promotes circular economy processes, encourages sustainable consumption and aims to prevent waste and ensure that resources are used for as long as possible).