Climate Resilience Enhancement in Dairy Farming (CliResDairy)

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The Climate Resilience Enhancement in Dairy Farming (CliResDairy) project carried out in Aydın province aims to increase the resilience of the dairy sector against the effects of climate change. The project, supported under the Horizon Europe program of the European Union, has been shaped by the climate risk assessment and adaptation strategy development process under the coordination of the Aydın Province Cattle Breeders Association.

Aydın, which stands out with its agriculture and livestock sector, is faced with climatic threats such as increasing temperatures, drought, sudden rains and floods. This situation can cause serious pressures especially on milk yield, animal health, feed production and infrastructure sustainability. In order to find solutions to these challenges, a comprehensive climate risk assessment process will be carried out in the project using the CLIMAAX Tool. This tool, developed by the European Commission, will enable the transparent and holistic analysis of regional and sectoral risks, and will enable the identification of priority climate threats and the creation of adaptation strategies specifically for Aydın.

MATE4MEAT: Sustainable and Antimicrobial Materials for Meat Packaging

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The project “MATE4MEAT: Innovative Antimicrobial Packaging Solutions for Meat Products,” coordinated by The International University College of Turin (UNITO), is supported under the Horizon 2020 program. In addition to GTE, the consortium also includes Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Université de Sfax (USS), UM6P – University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Université de Fribourg (UFR), University of Constantine 1 (UFMC1), Cadi Ayyad University (UCA), and Computomics (COMPU).

The project aims to develop bio-based and biodegradable antimicrobial packaging solutions for meat products in line with circular economy principles. These innovative packaging systems, which work through the synergistic effect of antimicrobial compounds and bio-based polymers, aim to enhance food safety, extend shelf life, and reduce food waste. While promoting sustainability, MATE4MEAT also seeks to reduce reliance on fossil resources.

For more information, you can visit the project’s website:

https://mate4meat.com/

BIOMEDPACK: Shelf-life Enhancing Packaging Systems and Solutions for Mediterranean Food Based on Agri-Food Cascade Biorefinery

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The project “BIOMEDPACK: Shelf-life Enhancing Packaging Systems for Mediterranean Food through Innovative and Circular Solutions,” coordinated by the University of Córdoba (UCO), is supported under the PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area) program. In addition to GTE, the consortium includes The International University College of Turin (UNITO), Université de Sfax (USS), UM6P – University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Université de Fribourg (UFR), University of Constantine 1 (UFMC1), Cadi Ayyad University (UCA), and Computomics (COMPU).

The project aims to develop sustainable packaging and bio-preservation solutions through a circular approach specific to Mediterranean food systems, by valorizing lignocellulosic and bioactive components of agricultural by-products. Supported by food microbiome information and computational techniques, these innovative packaging solutions improve the shelf life of Mediterranean food products through the synergistic combination of bio-based polymers and bioprotective agents, while also considering the nutritional value of edible packaging.

The Cross-border Climate Vulnerabilities and Remote Impacts of EU, Turkey and African Food Systems Project (CREATE)

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“Cross-border Climate Vulnerabilities and Remote Effects of EU, Turkey and African Food Systems: Trade, Climate Risk and Adaptation (CREATE)” project, coordinated by Ankara University Water Management Institute (Assoc. Prof. Gökşen Çapar) and GTE is a project partner. H2020 Food Systems and Climate (FOSC) is supported under the ERA-NET Cofund 2019 call.

Works are carried out by a consortium of eight organizations from Turkey, Morocco, the Netherlands and Egypt. CREATE aims to develop a new cross-border climate risk/impact assessment methodology for food value chains based on the concept of established sourcing (e.g. water, soil and carbon) and trade that maps the representative links between socio-economic activities and remote climatic hazards in the EU, Africa and Turkey.

https://www.create4climate.com/

Development of Circular Water Management Possibilities at Multisectoral (Urban, Industrial and Agricultural) Scale: The Case of Küçük Menderes River Basin

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Project Objective
The main objective of the project titled “Development of Circular Water Management Opportunities at a Multisectoral Scale (Urban, Industrial, and Agricultural): The Case of the Küçük Menderes River Basin” is to enhance circular water management possibilities among urban, industrial, and agricultural water users within the Küçük Menderes Basin, thereby promoting rational and efficient water use.

Core Activities
Within the scope of the project, a feasible circular water management model was developed for various users and sectors, supported by a range of analyses and studies aimed at improving the model:

  • Basin Identification and Analysis:
    The basin’s physical structure, the quality and quantity of its water resources, sectoral usage status, and current natural processes were examined.

  • Water Use Profile Development:
    Urban, industrial, and agricultural water use profiles were created based on water consumption quantities, source types, and quality data at district and neighborhood levels.

  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Identification:
    Indicators were determined and assessed to measure efficiency and circularity performance in each sector.

  • Wastewater Profiling and Reuse Analysis:
    Wastewater sources within the basin (treated and untreated) were analyzed, discharger-user matchings were carried out, and reuse opportunities were explored.

  • Water Pinch Analysis Application:
    Water pinch analysis was utilized to optimize water supply-demand matchings.

Key Outputs and Recommendations

  • A total of 14 implementation proposals were developed, focusing on recovery and reuse opportunities in the urban-industrial-agricultural context of circular water use, including:

    • Reuse of industrial wastewater for process water and irrigation purposes

    • Utilization of urban wastewater for park and garden irrigation as well as agricultural irrigation

    • Reintroduction of wastewater into industrial facilities

  • Under the scope of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS):

    • Rainwater harvesting

    • Practices such as wetlands and infiltration trenches were examined, and their existing potentials were evaluated.

Thanks to the project, an integrated circular water management model was developed across different sectors; its applicability was demonstrated both in the Küçük Menderes Basin and in other regions facing similar climate and water challenges. The developed approach offers a methodology that can serve as an example for sustainable water management in combating climate change.

Mey|Diageo- Water Replacement Project in Manisa Region

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Within the scope of Mey|Diageo’s Ecosystem 2030 targets determined at the global level, the “Drip Irrigation” project was realized as the first water supply project of GTE in Alasehir, Manisa Region. In the project, where EWA Corporate Consulting is a project partner, infrastructure improvement was made by working with local municipalities and a local irrigation cooperative to establish a more efficient drip system.

The main purpose of the project is to increase the product quality, increase the yield and increase the income of the farmers in the vineyards of the region. Thanks to the project, it was foreseen that 50% savings could be achieved in the amount of water used, and more than 15,100 cubic meters of water was recovered in 2022.

Use of Biomass to be Produced from Red Sea Algae in the Production of Valuable Bio-components

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The consultancy of the project carried out by Kırıkkale University with the feasibility support provided by Ahiler Development Agency was done by GTE. In the project, it is aimed to reduce negative environmental impacts by using microalgae production and wastewater treatment synergistically and to provide commercial benefits for different sectors of algae biomass.

The project was completed in February 2021. During the feasibility study, a technical/economic feasibility study was conducted for a pilot plant for an innovative microalgae system that will provide nutrient recovery by treating wastewater with an intersectoral “symbiotic approach”.

Exploring Industrial Symbiosis Possibilities for Food Chain Waste

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A project to explore industrial symbiosis opportunities for food chain waste was carried out in Antalya with the Fund for the Third Phase of the Civil Society Support Program (CSSP-III) of the Turkish Food Rescue Association. The project, which started in 2019, was completed in 2020.

Technical field studies were carried out by GTE within the scope of the project. In the light of the information obtained, potential industrial symbiosis opportunities that stand out in the sector were investigated and a workshop was held.

Evaluation of Water Efficiency Focused R&D and Process Development Opportunities

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Within the scope of the technical support of Bursa Eskişehir Bilecik Development Agency (BEBKA), the Water Efficiency Focused R&D and Process Development/Improvement Opportunities Project was supported, and the technical consultancy of the project, which started towards the end of 2020, is provided by GTE.

In this context, it is aimed to determine the water efficiency application possibilities by carrying out studies to determine the critical points/products dependent on water. It is aimed to ensure the sustainability of application opportunities by conducting in-house trainings on water efficiency, water footprint and carbon footprint.

Media Recovery and Value-Added Fertilizer Production from Biogas Plant Wastes

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“Media Recovery from Biogas Facility Wastes”, under the direction of METU Environmental Engineering Department (Assist. Prof. Dr. Yasemin Dilşad Yılmazel), where Cranfield University (Dr. Imma Bortone) and GTE are the project partners and SÜTAŞ is the beneficiary. and Fertilizer Production with High Value Added project was supported by the Katip Çelebi-Newton Fund under the joint program of the Royal Academy of Engineering (United Kingdom) and TUBITAK.

The main purpose of the project is to transform wastewater, which causes significant environmental problems when not treated sufficiently, into valuable products. Within the scope of the project, which will last for 2 years, the use of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) compounds, which can cause various operational problems in biogas plants and are found extensively in wastewater, for the production of “Struvite”, a valuable fertilizer, will be investigated.