Sustainable business models
We create profitable business opportunities for farmers and cooperatives, moving from waste disposal to value creation.
Transforming farm byproducts into local business opportunities.
New business for farmers and cooperatives in rural areas by local upcycling solutions using underutilized agricultural feedstocks
The challenge
The PRIMARY project aims to unlock the potential of underutilised agricultural biomass such as grass and byproducts from greenhouses, cotton, and olive trees by developing and piloting local, sustainable solutions.
The solution
Through a collaborative multi-actor approach, the project fosters innovation and creates new business opportunities for primary producers and rural communities across Europe.
Key focus areas
Smart feedstock management
We optimize harvesting and logistics for grass, greenhouse waste, cotton, and olive tree byproducts using advanced sensing and simulation technology.
Innovative processing
We develop 6 cutting-edge technologies to convert agricultural waste into food ingredients, bio-materials, biofuels, and fertilizers.
Proven impact
We validate environmental benefits and economic viability through comprehensive sustainability assessments and safety standards compliance.
European expansion
We scale successful solutions across Europe through €900K funding program and stakeholder platform, supporting rural communities and climate goals.
Project impact
Before
After
Cotton stems/leaves burned in open fires or buried
Converted to pellets, biochar, protein, and bio-materials
Olive prunings burned or used as basic mulch
Processed into chips for biomass boilers, biochar, compost, and construction materials
Greenhouse residues incinerated as waste or composted
Transformed into mycoprotein ingredients via fermentation and foam-formed packaging materials
Grass used only as ruminant feed, green manure, or biogas
Processed into high-value protein ingredients for food and feed, bio-based materials, and optimized feed through biorefinery technology with protein separation and fiber utilization
Latest from PRIMARY
Mar 12, 2026
PRIMARY Project Launches €900,000 Open Call for Agricultural Bioeconomy Innovation, inviting farmers, cooperatives, and regional partners to replicate sustainable processing solutions across Europe
The PRIMARY project is opening applications for financial support to validate and adapt innovative approaches to transforming underutilised agricultural feedstocks into valuable products. The Open Call will fund 6-9 consortia with grants of up to €150,000 to pilot processing technologies and business models in their regions.
Dec 15, 2025
Unlocking cotton residues: insights from PRIMARY’s field trials in Greece
PRIMARY's Greek field trial in Karditsa tests two methods for harvesting cotton residues, comparing forage harvester and baling systems for rural bioeconomy.
Oct 30, 2025
Building a circular bioeconomy: PRIMARY, EMBEDED, and HarWASTing collaborate for rural innovation
PRIMARY, EMBEDED, and HarWASTing are joining forces to accelerate Europe's circular bioeconomy. Funded under the same Horizon Europe call, the three sister projects are collaborating to transform agricultural feedstock and agroforestry waste into high-value products, creating new economic opportunities for farmers and rural communities across Europe.
May 28, 2025
PRIMARY officially launches: transforming European agricultural feedstock into valuable resources
We're excited to announce that PRIMARY has officially launched! Our groundbreaking Horizon Europe project is set to revolutionise how Europe handles agricultural by-products, creating valuable business opportunities for farmers whilst advancing the EU's circular bioeconomy goals.
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Our consortium
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