As Europe strives to enhance its green transition, the development of innovative solutions is essential for producing high-value bio-based products while safeguarding food production and preserving natural ecosystems. Marginal lands, which are frequently neglected, may offer significant potential for this purpose.
Launched in July 2025, the RUNFASTER4EU project stands as a flagship European initiative aimed at transforming these marginal lands into sustainable sources of bio-based raw materials used in various applications, including cosmetics, bioplastics, bio-stimulants, bioherbicides, dielectric fluids, feed ingredients, and Non-Isocyanate Polyurethanes (NIPU) suitable for vertical gardens.
The project prioritises the enhancement of two major Italian facilities: Matrìca at the Porto Torres site in the island of Sardinia and Versalis at the Crescentino site in the region of Piedmont. Additionally, RUNFASTER4EU involves large-scale cultivation trials of low-Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) risk oil crops, such as safflower and other oleaginous varieties, with significant involvement from local farmers and the validation of innovative agronomic practices.
Funded by the Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU)—a strategic partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC)—the project has secured a financial contribution of €19,908,650.25. This initiative unites a diverse consortium of 18 partners from 10 European countries, bringing together industrial leadership and scientific expertise to advance a resilient and circular bioeconomy.
The kick-off meeting, conducted on 8-9 July 2025 at the Eni R&D Centre in San Donato Milanese, marked a significant milestone for this five-year project, establishing a comprehensive roadmap moving forward. Representatives from all partners and the CBE JU convened to outline project activities and define subsequent steps collaboratively.
RUNFASTER4EU aims to demonstrate the sustainability and replicability of novel value chains on an industrial scale, concentrating on the extensive cultivation of low-ILUC-risk oil crops on marginal lands—specifically those that are unproductive, polluted, or uneconomical, and not intended for food or feed production. The cultivation of these crops will yield vegetable oils and residual biomass for high-value bio-based products through a cascading approach.
Moreover, the project seeks to fortify bio-based value chains by emphasising soil health and regeneration while implementing large-scale cultivation initiatives across Italy, Greece, Serbia, Spain, and Romania. The active participation of farmers will be instrumental in ensuring the success and viability of these new agricultural practices.
The consortium includes Versalis SPA (Coordinator), Novamont SPA, Matrìca SPA, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving, ena Development Consultants, AHAVA Dead Sea Laboratories Ltd., AGRI 2000 IBERIA S.L., Agri 2000 Net RO SRL, BF Educational SRL, PNO Innovation Unipessoal LDA, LEDA Polymer SP ZOO, Carhue Piggeries Limited, Institut Za Ratarstvo I Povrtarstvo Institut Od Nars, CIFO SRL, Federazione Regionale Coldiretti Campania, Fundació Università ria Balmes and NAFIGATE Park S.R.O.
