8 organisations from Central Europe area are collaborating on the planning and development of new value chains and biorefineries that will valorise unused by-products and wastes from the regional agri-food industry and transform them into a range of high-value products. The value chain generator will apply its methodology to verify which planned projects are optimal for their regional industries and have a chance of success.

Transnational complex strategy to pave the way for a 'without - barriers market of by-products and waste from primary production and agri-food sectors in Central Europe.

TeBiCE partnership cooperating for the implementation of the project

Transformation of hemp stems into durable biocomposite materials for furniture and textile manufacturing, using regional supply chains and cross-sector partnerships. Regions Austria & Germany Challenges Addressed Need for sustainable raw materials Limited availability of processed hemp fibres at scale Integration of new materials into existing production lines Solution Implemented Iterative testing of hemp-fibre composites Collaboration between SMEs and Chemie-Cluster Bayern Development of modular, regional sourcing frameworks Implementation Steps Material testing Fibre preparation Prototyping Performance testing Scaling collaboration Results & Impact Replacement of imported materials Improved environmental footprint Strengthened regional partnerships Lessons Learned Early collaboration is essential Trust-building must precede technical work Clusters accelerate matchmaking Scalability & Replicability ✔ Works for furniture, textiles, packaging ✔ High transferability to other regions

Industrial-scale valorisation of radicchio by-products into dried and micronised biomass for food, cosmetic, and nutraceutical uses. Region Italy (Treviso & Veneto) Sector Primary production & processing Challenges Addressed High moisture & perishability Seasonal concentration of waste Lack of quantitative by-product data Solution Implemented Mapping of biomass flows Drying + micronisation Ingredient development tests Implementation Steps Field visits & mapping Sampling campaign Data structuring Technological testing Model creation Results ~28% of radicchio becomes usable by-products Significant cost reduction potential Waste streams fully quantified Lessons Learned Data in agri-waste chains is fragmented On-site engagement is essential Collaborative data creation improves accuracy Scalability ✔ Method transferable to other vegetables ✔ Equipment usable year-round via other crops

Improving mealworm farming efficiency using local agricultural residues as feed. Region Warmia & Mazury (Poland) Sector Mixed (production & processing) Challenges Addressed Lack of insect farming know-how Need for optimal rearing conditions Limited feed substrate knowledge Solution Implemented Rearing environment assessment Feed substrate optimisation Development of microwave drying technology Implementation Steps On-site audit Feeding trials Environmental optimisation Drying technology development Results +75% production volumes +60% annual sales increase Lower energy use for heating Lessons Learned Requires major work reorganisation Staff training is critical Measurements help scale production Scalability ✔ Ideal for 1–10 t/month facilities ✔ Easy replication across Poland

Mapping biomass and valorising residues for biogas, fertiliser, and alternative products. Region Kujawsko-Pomorskie (Poland) Sector Processing Challenges Addressed Expensive traditional feedstocks Low awareness of circular economy Regulatory obstacles for biogas plants Solution Implemented Regional biomass mapping Anaerobic digestion optimisation Public seminars and awareness raising Implementation Steps Promotional events Raw material mapping Literature analysis Technological optimisation Value chain modelling Results & Impact Increased knowledge of regional biomass Identification of new value chains Lessons Learned Databases incomplete → methodology must adapt Scalability ✔ Applicable across biomass-rich regions ✔ Useful for SMEs seeking new materials

Cooperation model enabling small oil mills to produce high-value pumpkin seed meal instead of low-value press cake. Region Southeast Styria (Austria) Sector Mixed (production & processing) Challenges Addressed Lack of infrastructure at mills Fragmented raw material supply No coordination mechanisms Solution Implemented Creation of cooperative model (eGen) Shared processing via central mill Development of two collaboration options (centralised & decentralised) Implementation Steps Stakeholder outreach Data collection Model development Expert review Pilot processing (Oct 2025) Results & Impact Upgrading 100–150 t/year of by-product Production of food-grade meal (<500 µm) Lessons Learned Early interest ≠ formal cooperation Need stable governance & funding Gradual scaling works best Scalability ✔ Perfect for regions with many small mills ✔ Cooperative model transferable Europe-wide

This case study presents how the Slovak company implemented bio-based materials — including regional hemp fibres — into its product development processes for interior, textile, and furniture applications. Supported by Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, the company explored possibilities for circular material integration in future manufacturing. Partner Slovakia Sector Furniture manufacturing, interior textiles, circular biomaterials Challenges Addressed Need for sustainable material alternatives in furniture/interior design Limited access to tested, high-performance natural fibre biocomposites Necessity to understand the potential of hemp-based materials for industrial use Early-stage knowledge gaps on durability and processing parameters Solution Implemented Collaboration between Meeberg GmbH and Chemie-Cluster Bayern to explore suitability of hemp-based biocomposites Review of possible applications in Meeberg’s production for interiors and textile-dominant furniture elements Identification of opportunities for circular design through increased use of bio-based materials Results & Impact Clear identification of specific product areas where hemp-based materials can be used Strengthened cross-regional collaboration between Slovakia and Bavaria Improved understanding of technical and functional requirements for natural fibre composites Enhanced readiness for circular product development in future manufacturing cycles Lessons Learned Bio-based materials require early-stage testing to determine mechanical and aesthetic suitability Regional supply chains must be aligned early to guarantee volume and quality Cross-border collaboration accelerates the innovation process and reduces development risks Scalability & Replicability ✔ Applicable to SMEs in furniture, acoustics, and interior design ✔ Transferable to any region with access to hemp, flax, or similar fibres ✔ Low barrier to adoption — requires mainly design adaptation and supplier coordination