ECOFFEE promotes circular economy awareness among Mondragón University students during a training visit to Euskovazza

• The European project, supported by CIRCULOOS and funded under Horizon Europe, introduces young students to the transformation of coffee grounds into high-value bio-based resources

BRUSSELS, 19th November 2025. On Wednesday, 12 November, Business Administration students from Mondragón Unibertsitatea (MU) visited the facilities of Euskovazza, partner of the European project ECOFFEE, to explore how circular economy principles can be applied to waste valorisation, specifically the conversion of coffee grounds into high-value bio-based ingredients.

ECOFFEE brings circular bioeconomy closer to future business professionals

During the visit, the team at Euskovazza introduced students to the work developed under ECOFFEE, selected as the winner of CIRCULOOS Open Call 2, an initiative funded by Horizon Europe to accelerate circular innovations through reverse logistics, regenerative supply chains and digital traceability.

ECOFFEE implements an advanced circular valorisation model that connects coffee by-product generators (Euskovazza), research organisations (AZTI) and manufacturing partners (FumiHogar), coordinated by Finnova Foundation. The project’s model includes:

• Circular Valorisation Paths, such as:
  •  Animal feed ingredients, rich in fibre and antioxidants.
  •  Bio-based biocidal and phytosanitary products.
• Reverse Logistics, featuring a tested system for local collection, centralisation and stabilisation (drying) of coffee by-products.
• Digital Traceability, integrating material data and transactions into the RAMP marketplace to ensure transparency and open-access commercialisation.
• Environmental Validation, through a cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) developed with the GRETA tool, demonstrating the environmental benefits of upcycling this common food waste stream.

Students expressed strong interest in the economic potential of circular business models and in the entrepreneurial opportunities emerging from bio-based innovation in the agri-food sector.

A spokesperson for Euskovazza highlighted: “Circular economy is not just a concept; it is a real business opportunity. Presenting ECOFFEE to students helps inspire the next generation of professionals who will lead Europe’s sustainable transition.”

The session concluded with a group photograph, now available to media outlets upon request.

About ECOFFEE

ECOFFEE is an innovation project selected by CIRCULOOS – Horizon Europe, with a total budget of 256.451,25€ and a 12-month duration. The project aims to transform coffee grounds into high-value bio-based ingredients and products through reverse logistics, digital traceability and advanced environmental assessment. The consortium is composed of AZTI, Euskovazza, FumiHogar and the Finnova Foundation.

More information: https://ecoffeeproject.eu/