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Starch Valorisation as Biorefinery Concept Integrated by an Agro-Industry Case Study to Improve Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Maider Gomez Palmero

    (Fundación CIRCE, Parque Empresarial Dinamiza, Avda. Ranillas 3D, 1 a Planta, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Ana Carrasco

    (PATURPAT, Arriurdina, 6, Polígono Industrial de Júndiz, 01015 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain)

  • Paula de la Sen

    (Fundación CIRCE, Parque Empresarial Dinamiza, Avda. Ranillas 3D, 1 a Planta, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • María Dolores Mainar-Toledo

    (Fundación CIRCE, Parque Empresarial Dinamiza, Avda. Ranillas 3D, 1 a Planta, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Sonia Ascaso Malo

    (Energaia Institute (University Institute for Energy and Resource Efficiency Research of Aragon), University of Zaragoza, Mariano Esquillor Gómez, 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Francisco Javier Royo Herrer

    (Energaia Institute (University Institute for Energy and Resource Efficiency Research of Aragon), University of Zaragoza, Mariano Esquillor Gómez, 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

Abstract

The production of bio-based products for different purposes has become an increasingly common strategy over the last few decades, both in Europe and worldwide. This trend seeks to contribute to mitigating the impacts associated with climate change and to cope with the ambitious objectives established at European level. Over recent decades, agro-industries have shown significant potential as biomass suppliers, triggering the development of robust logistical supply chains and the valorization of by-products to obtain bio-based products that can be marketed at competitive prices. However, this transformation may, in some cases, involve restructuring traditional business model to incorporate the biorefinery concept. In this sense, the first step in developing a bio-based value chain involves assessing the resource’s availability and characterizing the feedstock to select the valorization pathway and the bio-application with the greatest potential. The paper incorporates inputs from a case study on PATURPAT, a company commercializing a wide range of ready-prepared potato products, which has commissioned a starch extraction facility to process the rejected pieces of potatoes and water from the process to obtain starch that can be further valorized for different bio-applications. This study aims to comprehensively review current trends and frameworks for potatoes processing agro-industries and define the most suitable bio-applications to target, as well as identify opportunities and challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Maider Gomez Palmero & Ana Carrasco & Paula de la Sen & María Dolores Mainar-Toledo & Sonia Ascaso Malo & Francisco Javier Royo Herrer, 2025. "Starch Valorisation as Biorefinery Concept Integrated by an Agro-Industry Case Study to Improve Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:15:p:6808-:d:1710920
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ashoka Gamage & Anuradhi Liyanapathiranage & Asanga Manamperi & Chamila Gunathilake & Sudhagar Mani & Othmane Merah & Terrence Madhujith, 2022. "Applications of Starch Biopolymers for a Sustainable Modern Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-33, May.
    2. Beer, Katrin & Böcher, Michael & Ganzer, Caroline & Blöbaum, Anke & Engel, Lukas & De Paula Sieverding, Theresa & Sundmacher, Kai & Matthies, Ellen, 2025. "Forest-based bioeconomy and bio-based chemical production in the European Union: Policy issues, institutions, actors, and instruments in a changing forest policy subsystem," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    3. Meyer, Christian H. & Frieling, Dominik & Hamer, Martin & Oertzen, Gero, 2017. "Food Losses in Supply Chains for Fruits, Vegetables and Potatoes between Field and Retail Shelf in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany," International Journal on Food System Dynamics, International Center for Management, Communication, and Research, vol. 2017(1), June.
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