Bestmedgrape
New Business opportunities & Environmental suSTainability using MED GRAPE nanotechnological products
About the Project
Grape as a traditional crop in the Mediterranean area has a strong innovation potential, which has not been effectively exploited yet. People working in the grape cultivation sector are generally focused on improving the quality of grape and wine, but usually don’t consider how to make the most out of grape waste.
Based on the R&D experience of the partners in the fields of grape valorization, waste exploitation and development of nanotechnological antioxidant/anti-inflammatory/anti-neurodegenerative formulations, BESTMEDGRAPE aims at supporting the creation of new startups/SMEs by transferring scientific/technological knowledge on local grape cultivars and the exploitation of wine by-products as a source of bioactive compounds that can be transformed into innovative commercial health products.
Hence, the project will not only valorize a Mediterranean product – grape – but also the expansion of the grape value chain through the development of nanotechnological products, thus boosting the local economy, reducing environmental pollution and increasing employment opportunities.
What will be improved?
BESTMEDGRAPE expects a change of attitude in the way Mediterranean entrepreneurs deal with the many botanical and beneficial properties of local grape cultivars. Great attention will be devoted to the manufacture of high quality nanotechnological, cosmeceutical and nutraceutical products. This will entail the growth of a new value chain derived from grape waste and related job/business opportunities. In addition, the project will contribute to the preservation of the Mediterranean biodiversity and avoid environmental contamination from the huge quantity of bulky waste generated during winemaking.
Who will benefit?
- Farmers and local wineries
- 35 early-stage researchers
- 210 potential entrepreneurs
- Existing enterprises and industrial processing companies interested in recycling wine-making waste
- Consumers and end-users interested in environmental-friendly grape products
- 15 public institutions involved in environmental sustainability
Key Information
Acronym: BESTMEDGRAPE
Full title: New Business opportunities & Environmental suSTainability using MED GRAPE nanotechnological products
Thematic objective: A.2 Support to education, research, technological development and innovation
Priority: A.2.1 Technological transfer and commercialization of research results
Countries: Italy, France, Tunisia, Lebanon, Jordan
Financial Data
- € 3.3 million Total budget
- € 2.6 million EU contribution
- 20% Project co-financing
Project In Numbers
- 8 Partners
- 5 Countries
- 10 Technical outputs
Partners from Lebanon
-
Saint Joseph University of Beirut
-
Berytech Foundation
Associates from Lebanon
- Chateau Ksara SAL
- Chateau Kefraya
- Chateau St. Thomas
Expected achievements
- 20 living labs activated and at least 4 co-publications on native grape cultivars characterization and extraction
- 1 cross-border technology platform developed to support business networking on grape waste exploitation
- 250 users interested in technological studies (pre-competitive analysis)
- 10 products and services developed for commercialization in the field of grape derivatives
- 10 newly established companies operating in the production and commercialization of innovative products and services in the area of grape and its derivatives
- 250 pre-competitive analyses of promising products and services
- 150 potential entrepreneurs selected for the exploitation of promising grape-related products and services
Project Duration
September 2019 – September 2022
Additional information