The RUNFASTER4EU project aims to transform marginal lands in Europe into sustainable sources of bio-based raw materials. Launched in July 2025, the project will develop innovative solutions for producing high-value bio-based products while preserving natural ecosystems. The project focuses on cultivating low-Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) risk oil crops, such as safflower, on marginal lands in Italy, Greece, Serbia, Spain, and Romania. The crops will yield vegetable oils and residual biomass for bio-based products, including cosmetics, bioplastics, and feed ingredients.
The project is funded by the Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) with a financial contribution of €19,908,650.25. A consortium of 18 partners from 10 European countries will work together to advance a resilient and circular bioeconomy. The project prioritizes soil health and regeneration, and the active participation of farmers is crucial to its success. The five-year project will demonstrate the sustainability and replicability of novel value chains on an industrial scale, with a focus on large-scale cultivation trials and innovative agronomic practices. The project’s goal is to create a more sustainable and circular bio-based industry in Europe.