projects
02
Highly qualified employment in companies - Hiring Highly Qualified Human Resources (PME or CoLAB) - CENTRO-59-2018-23
StartUp Zero is an innovation and entrepreneurship project focused on the transition to the circular economy that combines the acceleration of circular business models by design to create market value, with the empowerment of consumers starting with young people from the 3rd cycle onwards.
BeirInov proposes to ensure sustainability in the value chain of stuffed products, including smoked and cooked, from the Serra da Estrela region. This combines two aspects of sustainability, in the product (elimination of chemical preservatives) and in the packaging (100% recyclable film). CECOLAB leads the Research Line: Sustainability and Ecodesign of the Supply Chain and Life Cycle Assessment, transversal to all activities.
Development of a new bio-PLA extrusion equipment, with simultaneous injection of bioactive compounds, in a modular way, for the production of flexible single and multilayer biofunctional films for food packaging. CECOLAB, as the leading promoter, will be responsible for the Ecodesign and circularity performance (beginning and end of life) and functionality of the line for the market (efficiency in increasing shelf life, resulting from the use of bioactive extracts).
CIIM-Circular Innovation Inter-Municipality: Circular tools and dynamic approach to increase the efficiency of macroeconomic metabolisms, for the development of an initiative to promote entrepreneurship in the Circular Economy.
The project WinBio - "Waste&Interior&Bioeconomy", aims to enhance the economic value of R&D results and reinforce the transfer of scientific and technological knowledge to the business sector of the interior territories within the scope of the Circular and Sustainable Bioeconomy.
Global Knowledge and Science Cooperation Towards Circular Economy
Partnership
Main Goals
- Collection of contributions at an international level and open discussion with governmental and non-governmental entities of high relevance, knowledge and responsibility for the acceleration of the Circular Economy transition, identifying problems and challenges;
- Construction of a tool and framework for a common Global Agenda for Circular Economy, considering the value of knowledge and science in the genesis of policies for defining action plans and geo-regional targets; and
- Starting a global knowledge and science collaborative network: Global Circular Economy Cooperation.
White Paper "Global Knowledge and Science Cooperation Towards Circular Economy"
The public consultation period for the White Paper has ended.
SIH - Smart Islands Hub is a digital innovation hub (DIH) that aims to promote the digital training and inclusion of the Madeiran population and encourage the adoption of advanced digital technologies by SMEs and public sector organizations based in this region. The Smart lslands Hub was officially recognized as part of the national network of Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) within the scope of the Digital Portugal strategy and obtained the Seal of Excellence in its application to the European network (EDIH) within the scope of the Digital Europe strategy.
The project Sherlock – Supporting the Energy Transition of Buildings aims to equip professionals in the financial sector and the building energy retrofitting sector with green and digital skills, which are essential for success in the energy efficiency investment industry.
The Circular Challenge project aims to promote business capacity building for industrial transformation and business models, based on the logic of the circular economy and the promotion of entrepreneurship, especially in the use of endogenous resources, within a logic of circular production and consumption.
CECOLAB's core funding aims to create an integrated and innovation-friendly ecosystem, in collaboration with businesses and academia, promoting the transformation of ideas and knowledge with market potential into products and services with a high impact on the Circular Economy, both locally and globally. The support provided aims to finance the main activity areas dedicated to promoting innovation in the circular economy, aligned with institutional objectives, namely, the development of new products, services and solutions in the circular economy, enhancing internationalization and networking efforts, promoting the bridge between academic and non-academic actors, and establishing and solidifying the CECOLAB brand and identity.
The CircularTech Agenda aims to contribute to the transition to a circular economy, in which the environment is compatible with social and economic development. The Agenda seeks to change the paradigm by placing intelligence at the heart of the waste management value chain, from disposal to the transformation of waste into valuable resources. Throughout the chain, the Agenda aims to collect more data, create knowledge, incorporate the intelligence generated from this data at each stage of the process, empower citizens, develop solutions that allow for the recovery of materials that are currently lost, and finally, create standards for waste management processes that ensure a continuous drive towards efficiency.
Its objective is to revitalize the national manufacturing industry, promoting innovative business practices based on the pillars of sustainability (environmental, social and governance) and the circular economy.
The project aims to revitalize the national manufacturing industry by promoting innovative business practices based on ESG (environmental, social and governance) strategies and the circular economy, enabling them to develop more advanced business strategies that lead to a shift in their productive specialization profile and strengthen their sustained and competitive growth.
Main actions:
- – Roadmap for Competitiveness in the Circular Economy
- – ESG Games
- – Green Financing
- – Eco-Design
- – Circular Business Expertise
- - Promotion Events
- – Communication Tools for Project Cross-Transformation
- – Technical Project Management
The TECHROAD project proposes the creation of an innovative, eco-efficient, and economically viable permeable pavement, based on the incorporation of bioplastics obtained from the valorization of agro-industrial waste in bituminous mixtures and the use of Construction and Demolition Waste in unbound layers. The pavements to be developed aim to mitigate the effects of flooding, minimize the effects of frost, and attenuate the urban heat island effect.
The Ecoeasy WoodBoard project has the specific objective of developing an innovative, 100% ecological, ultralight, and sustainable natural fiberboard for interior wall and ceiling coverings and finishes. The solution integrates an easy-click mounting system, allowing for simple application without the need for specialized labor, while ensuring high energy efficiency, low environmental impact, and the use of bio-binders and natural pigments of renewable origin.
The BEIRALMA project - Bioeconomy and sustainability in the production of functional vegetable sausages from by-products from the interior region - focuses on the development of new plant-based, vegetarian and vegan food products in the sausage sector, using agro-industrial by-products. The aim is to create innovative vegetarian sausages with agro-industrial by-products (olive and grape pomace), following the principles of the Circular Economy. It transforms waste into functional ingredients, using advanced texturisation and fermentation to replicate the flavour and texture of meat. The project focuses on processes that minimise environmental impacts and transform agro-industrial by-products/waste into high added-value products, responding to gaps in the market for functional, sustainable and healthy foods.
The VineToPack project focuses on the valorisation of vine pruning waste, utilising emerging technologies to extract bioactive compounds and cellulose in order to develop innovative, cellulose-based, biodegradable biofunctional materials with various applications in the food sector, particularly biofunctional packaging. Life-cycle assessments will be carried out to evaluate the impact of the new methodologies and products developed.
The main objective of Bio A Flavour is to develop a solution (a biofunctional product and a mini portable device for home use) for application in dental prostheses for microbiological inactivation and improvement of halitosis problems. The aim is for the solution to be used during the rest phase of the prosthesis, which will be used as a vector for the release of biocomposites during the day, improving oral health and well-being, based on endogenous raw materials for obtaining bioextracts.
The project's mission is to develop and provide innovative solutions for microbiological inactivation and indoor air quality improvement, ensuring safety, energy efficiency and economic viability, with a focus on healthcare infrastructure. The project aims to develop the AT AirHealth solution, a kit for air conditioning systems designed to inactivate microorganisms and improve indoor air quality, especially in healthcare facilities. Its vision is to be an international benchmark in air treatment technologies with controlled UV-C emission, contributing to safer, healthier and more sustainable indoor environments, protecting people from biological risks in confined spaces.
TIC BioIN – Innovation and Knowledge Transfer for the Development of the Bioeconomy in the Interior, is a collaborative project that supports companies in the bioeconomy sector by promoting knowledge transfer and the use of digital technologies. Focused on innovation and the sustainable use of natural resources in the interior regions, the project contributes to the Green Transition by integrating biotechnology, food and forestry. TICBioIN strengthens competitiveness, accelerates innovation and drives a sustainable bioeconomy, based on knowledge and cooperation.
The 3DP STeF project aims to advance sustainable innovation in the textile and manufacturing sectors by upskilling and reskilling VET and university students through the introduction of AM tools, such as 3D printing, in the context of textiles and fashion.
Focusing on students from fields like fabrics, fashion, interior design, and architecture, and engineering the project seeks to transform the textile industry into a more sustainable market by developing educational paths for green digital skills. By integrating advanced digital competencies such as AI, data analytics, AR/VR reality, and machine learning, we aim to equip a new generation of professionals capable of driving the twin green and digital transition.
The project promotes sustainability and circular economy principles across the supply chain, encourages the use of sustainable raw materials, reduces environmental impact, and fosters efficient, on-demand production methods.
The project will establish specialised educational programmes:
- A master’s degree program for HE education students & teachers, focusing on the intersection of 3DP technology, sustainable practices, textile & fashion design.
- Micro-credential modules for professionals, students, and VET educators seeking to enhance their skills in 3DP within the textile & fashion sectors.
Our project aims to aim to:
- Impacting and innovating in additive manufacturing, integrating it into textile and technological education and industry practices.
- Enhancing supply chain resilience and sustainability, reducing global value chain risks through localised production enabled by 3DP.
- Promoting the use of sustainable raw materials, aligning with circular economy principles.
- Addressing environmental impact, reducing waste and emissions through efficient, on-demand manufacturing processes.
- Contributing to the development of ICT specialists, equipping individuals with advanced digital skills necessary for the modern industry.
EcoDesign Tools
CECOLAB has at its disposal software certified in accordance with ISO 14040 and 14044 standards, based on the concepts of the
Lifecycle and Material Flow Analysis.
The Software is accompanied by the Ecoinvent database with more than 18000 life cycle inventories.
Increased resource efficiency and improved environmental performance through efficient management of material and energy flow
Optimal solutions to reduce resource and energy consumption and optimize the environmental performance of your products
ACV for calculating all environmental impacts and cost accounting (e.g. life cycle costing & MFCA) with ecological assessment
intellectual property
National Invention Patent n.º 117908: Construction of sustainable modular buildings from end-of-life wind turbines, promoting the circular economy and the concept of “zero waste”.
International Patent of Invention No. PCT/IB2021/062390: Masonry system that includes a modular primary masonry unit with final coating and thermal and acoustic insulation, with several derivations (e.g. RCD recovery). The masonry system guarantees the construction of a wall with a final finish, and simultaneous thermal and acoustic insulation. The present patent already has a prototype developed (TRL4).
TECH TO MARKET
CECOLAB develops market-oriented innovation activities, focusing on the development of new products, processes and services, aiming to:
Become an international reference for the knowledge development and for the implementation of solutions in the circular economy sector
Place products and services on the market that increase the efficiency of mass and energy flows in the focus innovation chains
Increase synergies between different entities (industrial symbiosis) and increase the network cooperation to gain international competitiveness
Technical and Scientific Publications
- Sosa F. H. B., Abranches D.O., da Costa Lopes A. M C, Coutinho J. A. P., da Costa M. (2020)Kraft Lignin Solubility and Its Chemical Modification in Deep Eutectic Solvents. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2020 8 (50), 18577-18589.
- Da Costa Lopes, A. M. (2021) Biomass Delignification with Green Solvents Towards Lignin Valorisation: Ionic Liquids Vs Deep Eutectic Solvents. Acta Innovations 40: 64-78.
- Millan D, Novak U and Da Costa Lopes AM (2021) Editorial: Green and Sustainable Solutions for Fractionating Lignocellulosic Biomass. Front. Chem. 9:803431.
- Nunes J, Barros A D, Fonseca M, Figueiredo F, Paiva, J A P. (2021). O Paradigma da Circularidade no Setor da Construção: Desafios e Contributos do CECOLAB. Keramica 370 (Maio Junho):28
- Oral, H.V., Radinja, M.,Rizzo, A., Kearney, K., Andersen,T.R., Krzeminski, P., Buttiglieri, G.,Ayral-Cinar, D., Comas, J.,Gajewska, M., et al. (2021) Management of Urban Waters with Nature-Based Solutions in Circular Cities—Exemplified through Seven Urban Circularity Challenges. Water 13, 3334.
- Pearlmutter, D., Pucher, B., Calheiros, C.S.C., Hoffmann, K.A., Aicher, A., Pinho, P., Stracqualursi, A., Korolova, A., Pobric, A., Galvão, A., et al. (2021) ClosingWater Cycles in the Built Environment through Nature-Based Solutions: The Contribution of Vertical Greening Systems and Green Roofs. Water 13, 2165.
- Soares B, da Costa Lopes A M, Silvestre A J D, Pinto P C R, Freire C S R, Coutinho J A P (2021) Wood delignification with aqueous solutions of deep eutectic solvents. Industrial Crops and Products 160 (February): 113128.
- van Hullebusch, E.D., Bani, A., Carvalho, M., Cetecioglu, Z., De Gusseme, B., Di Lonardo, S., Djolic, M., van Eekert, M., Griessler Bulc, T., Haznedaroglu, B.Z., et al. (2021) Nature-Based Units as Building Blocks for Resource Recovery Systems in Cities. Water 13, 3153.
- Sales H., Figueiredo F., Patto M.C.V., Nunes J. (2022) Assessing the environmental sustainability of Portuguese olive growing practices from a life cycle assessment perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production 355: 131692.
investors
CECOLAB plays a leading and accelerating role in the development and transfer of knowledge and technologies to the market, Investors can count on an institution dedicated to the development of innovative products and services to face the challenges and drive the transition from a Linear Economy to a Circular Economy. Investing in innovation for the Circular Economy means investing in the future of Society and the Planet. CECOLAB has a department dedicated to investor relations.