From agriculture to agriculture: bioeconomy solutions for sustainable farming

Bioeconomy products and applications, other than being derived from vegetable raw materials, are often strictly connected with agriculture in their final use. A key example is provided by biodegradable in soil mulch films (according to standard EN17033), that can be used for farming as an alternative of conventional mulch films. They provide the same advantages in terms of crop protection and input reduction, but they can be left in soil after use, being biodegraded by microorganisms that naturally live in the ground. These products, that since 2024 are considered as inorganic soil improvers by the EU Fertilizing Product Regulations, find application in several cultivations, also for crops that are not mulched with conventional films. Another example is given by phytosanitary products from pelargonic acid, vegetable-based alternatives of conventional phytosanitary products, that do not accumulate in the environment. The event will provide different case studies of their application.

Session Chairs

Michele Falce, Responsabile Area Produzione & Servizi Agricoli, Novamont
Roberto Mazzei, Capo Servizio Innovazione AKIS Coldiretti, Coldiretti

Program

Introduction by the Chairs

Legislative framework promoting biodegradable plastics in agriculture and their effects on soil fertility
Professor Claudio Ciavatta, University of Bologna (TBC)

Test fields of biodegradable mulch films: case study on tomato
Professor Roberto Ronga, University of Salerno (TBC)

The use of biodegradable mulch films: case study on watermelon and asparagus
Sandro Colombi, Azienda Agricola Bologna Miriam (TBC)

The use of biodegradable mulch films: case study on zucchini and aromatic plants
Massimiliano Minotti, Agribologna (TBC)

Machineries for the efficient application of biodegradable mulch films
Alberto Forigo, Forigo Roter Italia (TBC)

The application of phytosanitary products from pelargonic acid: case study on Hazelnut
Felix Niedermayr, Head of Agricultural Center of Competence, Loacker (TBC)

The application of phytosanitary products from pelargonic acid: case study on Tobacco
Alberto Mantovanelli, President OPIT (TBC)

Bioeconomy products in the organic agriculture
Enrico Amico, President Amico Bio - Lighthouse Farm (TBC)

Innovative biodegradable and compostable solutions for agriculture
Beatrice Saglio, Application Development Technologist, Novamont

Discussion and closure by the Chairs