Valio Partners in PRIMARY Project to Explore Grass Biorefineries and Sustainable Solutions for the Agricultural Sector

Valio Partners in PRIMARY Project to Explore Grass Biorefineries and Sustainable Solutions for the Agricultural Sector

(IN BRIEF) Valio is a key partner in the EU-funded PRIMARY project, which aims to transform agricultural by-products into valuable resources. As part of the project, Valio is exploring grass biorefinery innovations, including using grass juice to fortify feed protein on dairy farms, potentially reducing reliance on food-grade protein feeds. Through collaboration with partners across Finland, Greece, and Estonia, PRIMARY is developing sustainable processes to convert agricultural waste into bioenergy, bio-based materials, and protein-rich ingredients. This initiative contributes to the EU’s bioeconomy, enhances sustainability, and offers new business opportunities for farmers and SMEs.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 29-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Valio is excited to be a key partner in the newly launched PRIMARY project, funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. The project, which unites 12 partners across Finland, Greece, and Estonia, focuses on transforming agricultural by-products into valuable resources, offering a sustainable solution to the growing challenge of agricultural waste in Europe. Through this project, Valio will explore innovative biorefinery technologies and collaborate with farmers and researchers to create new value chains that enhance farm incomes and contribute to the EU’s bioeconomy.

As part of PRIMARY, Valio is particularly focused on investigating the potential of grass biorefineries, which could offer significant benefits for the dairy industry. “This is an exciting opportunity for Valio to explore grass biorefinery innovations,” says Mika Immonen, Valio’s Research Scientist and Project Manager for PRIMARY. “One of the most promising aspects of our work is exploring whether grass juice can be used for feed protein fortification on dairy farms. This could significantly improve the self-sufficiency of dairy farms, replacing the need for food-grade protein feeds.”

Valio, in collaboration with other partners, aims to develop processes that turn agricultural by-products—such as grass, cotton, and olive residues—into valuable resources like bioenergy, bio-based materials, and protein-rich ingredients. With the goal of reducing the environmental impact of waste and improving protein self-sufficiency in Europe, PRIMARY is poised to play a critical role in the EU’s transition to a more sustainable economy.

The project will be piloted in two regions, Finland and Greece, with activities focusing on the development of biorefinery processes for grass, fermentation processes for agricultural feedstocks, and gasification methods for producing solid biofuels. In Greece, the project will explore how cotton by-products can be transformed into clean energy, while in Crete, olive tree prunings will be used to produce bioenergy, compost, and bio-based materials.

At Valio, we believe that this project aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainability and innovation in the agricultural sector. The solutions developed through PRIMARY will not only support the EU’s bioeconomy and contribute to improved sustainability, but also create new opportunities for farmers, cooperatives, and local SMEs. By engaging in these innovative bio-based processes, we hope to help strengthen the agricultural sector’s resilience, making it more sustainable and more attractive for future generations.

As part of PRIMARY, Valio will work closely with a strong consortium of partners including VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), and the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), as well as key renewable energy communities like ESEK and MINOA. Together, we aim to demonstrate how agricultural by-products can be transformed into valuable, sustainable resources that not only reduce waste but also generate new economic opportunities across Europe.

Disclaimer:
PRIMARY is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101180167. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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SOURCE: Valio