[ Introduction ]

Background

The development of green chemistry has raised by-products of the agro-industry to a valuable asset, a source of high added value molecules to be used in existing production systems by developing high-quality 3rd generation bio-refinery and minimizing waste production (end-of-waste approach).

During the recent years, red corn has been introduced in Lombardy region (Northern Italy) and it has resulted in a food with a high content of polyphenols. It will implement the corn supply chain with new production related to the reuse of bran and cob as sources of polyphenols.
Also, the use of tomato waste fractions (as animal feed or composting, etc.) is currently considered as a “side effect” of the primary production to be discarded by minimizing the related costs.
The development of green chemistry has overturned this conception by raising by-products of the agro-industry to a valuable asset, a source of high added value molecules to be used in existing production systems by developing a high-quality biorefinery and minimizing waste production (end-of-waste approach).

Challenge

Green Fashion challenge is the validation of a 3rd generation biorefinery in which food by-products become the primary source for the formulation of cosmeceutical products for Beauty & Fashion markets.

Green Fashion is intended to aggregate SMEs living in Lombardy Region (Italy) by providing ready-to-use technological innovation for emerging eco-industries projected towards new markets. Also, it allows the strong cooperation among SMEs and research centers.

Objective

The objective of Green Fashion project is to enhance and promote the use of the food chain’s by-products such as tomato peels & seeds and red corn (bran & cob) from biological production and traditional harvesting. High-quality sources are used primarily for the extraction of high benefits molecules (polyphenols and carotenoids).

In particular, the products of GREEN FASHION will have the features of “Made in Italy” products, which recall worldwide known concepts such as quality, craftsmanship and typical Italian creativity, in conjunction with the use of advanced production technologies to obtain high-effective extracts.

[ Strategy ]

1

Formulation of innovative ingredients from by-products of the tomato and red corn from biological and traditional production

2

Demonstration of the operative, economic and ecological feasibility (Life Cycle Assessment) of new production lines

3

Formulation of cosmeceutical products

[ Smart Specialization ]

The Green Fashion project is coherently integrated within the regional strategy of smart specialization in terms of:

Industrial validation of production protocols about new products from natural source, starting from by-products of local origin

Use of waste products such as resources / first material for industrial production

Development, upgrading and optimization of low environmental impact industrial processes

Validation of an Economic and Eco sustainable Protocol for the production of bio-based products in alternative to synthetic origin