pHYBi – Phytomanagement for a Bio-based Textile Industry

Project supported by the Phytobiomes Alliance

Funded by

the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. Co-funded by the European Union – Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON)

Duration

48 months

Dates

1 October 2024 - 30 September 2028

Coordinator

Andrea Dominguez (Idener R&D, Spain)

Project Overview

pHYBi is an initiative funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) that aims to combine the phytoremediation of polluted soils with the valorisation of lignocellulosic biomass to contribute to soil health and a bio-based circular textile industry

Background

The transition to a sustainable bioeconomy faces a critical challenge: sourcing feedstocks without competing for arable land needed for food production. This issue is particularly pressing in Europe, where around 80% of land is allocated to settlements, agricultural and forestry production, and infrastructure. The scarcity of land requires innovative approaches to feedstock cultivation. Degraded, polluted, and saline soils unsuitable for food crops offer a promising alternative for industrial crop cultivationpHYBi is an initiative funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) that aims to combine the phytoremediation of polluted soils with the valorisation of lignocellulosic biomass to contribute to soil health and a bio-based circular textile industry.

Objectives

  • Investigation and monitoring of new and long-term existing phytomanagement trial sites.
  • Optimisation of phytomanagement strategies based on lessons learned.
  • Improvement of extraction and valorisation of lignocellulosic biomass fractions (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) and quality characterisation for use in textile applications.
  • Development of an open source Virtual Replication Tool based on modelling and optimisation modules, available for similar initiatives.
  • Evaluation of technical, economic, social and environmental viability.
  • Fostering social acceptance and maximising the project’s impact through effective communication and stakeholder engagement.

Project Partners

The pHYBi consortium comprises 10 partners and 1 affiliated entity from five EU countries: Spain, France, Germany, Italy and Croatia.