SITRA , a company specializing in the technological transformation of the water cycle for industry, the generation of renewable gases, and the production of biofertilizers, closed 2023 with a significant boost to European projects that will advance the transformation of biological waste into high-value-added products for various industrial sectors . The company has doubled its investment in R&D&I to contribute to the decarbonization, sustainability, and competitiveness of industry, particularly the agri-food sector.
Among the most noteworthy projects in this area during 2023 is Frutalga , which aims to utilize industrial fruit waste to produce microalgal biomass. This biomass is then used to obtain biofertilizers and extracts with biological activity. These products have potential applications in agriculture and the cosmetics industry , contributing to reducing environmental impact and improving quality of life.
Frutalga is a collaborative project, with the participation of organizations and institutions such as AINIA, AVA-ASAJA, IDiBE – UMH and Prospera Biotech, and with financial support from the Valencian Innovation Agency and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021-2027. Furthermore, this project is aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal, which aims to achieve CO₂ neutrality by 2050.
Furthermore, in 2023, SITRA, in collaboration with AINIA, launched the European project Mixmatters , which aims to maximize the value of bio-based mixed waste through innovative separation and conversion processes. This project also aligns with the principles of the circular economy, which promote the efficient and responsible use of natural resources.
Commitment to a more sustainable future
Furthermore, in 2023 SITRA reinforced its commitment to a more sustainable future by joining the BIC Consortium, a European platform that brings together the main players in the biorefinery sector. This membership grants it access to a collaborative network for knowledge sharing, as well as funding opportunities for its projects. In this way, it consolidates its position as a leader in the development of innovative and sustainable technologies for waste valorization and renewable energy generation.
Furthermore, during the past year, the company has continued to deepen its technological validation of innovations related to the treatment and management of industrial wastewater and waste.
As Ricardo Sáez, CEO of SITRA, explains, “with these R&D projects we continue to increase our capacity for innovation and our vision for the future. In all of them, we are committed to decarbonization, sustainability, and the competitiveness of the industrial sector.”