· The consortium, funded by the EU's Horizon Europe programme, will hold an International Meeting next April 22 in Ibagué (Tolima)
· European technology for transforming coffee grounds into biocides and animal proteins will seek strategic alliances for its transfer to Latin America
· The event is part of the Glocal Circular Economy Summit – Nova Next Summit and will connect technical innovation with funding opportunities
Brussels, April 17, 2026. The European ECOFFEE consortium, a pioneering project in the valorisation of HORECA sector waste, will make the leap to Latin America next week. The project will organize an International Meeting on agricultural sustainability and circular economy next Wednesday, April 22, from 14:30 to 17:30 (local time), within the framework of the prestigious Glocal Circular Economy Summit held in Ibagué, capital of the Tolima department (Colombia).
The meeting aims to build bridges between the technological innovation developed in Europe and the needs of the Latin American agricultural sector, demonstrating that coffee can cease to be a problematic waste and become a high value-added resource.
A space to connect European technology and international funding
The meeting was created with the objective of transferring solutions already validated in Europe to the Latin American context, facilitating their implementation through funding opportunities and international collaboration.
During the session, the ECOFFEE consortium will present its integrated model for coffee waste valorisation, which enables the transformation of coffee grounds into high value-added products, such as natural biocides and animal feed. Within this approach, the role of FUMIHOGAR stands out, whose dry micro-dispersion technology will be presented by Carlos Ramos, Operations Manager. This technique represents an innovative and sustainable solution for the efficient application of agricultural bioproducts, reinforcing the safety and sustainability of the sector. FUMIHOGAR is the leading partner of the LIFE NextFUMIGREEN project, a successful case where this technology is also applied.
This technological proposal is complemented by reverse logistics and digital traceability systems developed by Euskovazza, as well as advanced animal nutrition solutions validated by AZTI, consolidating a replicable circular economy model within the coffee value chain.
Alliances, innovation, and funding
Alongside the technical presentation of the consortium, the meeting will offer a 360º view of the coffee ecosystem thanks to the participation of renowned international experts. The Finnova Foundation, an ECOFFEE partner entity expert in European affairs, will lead the funding block and moderation. Its General Director, Juanma Revuelta, will address the opportunities of the European Green Deal, while Juan Viesca, Director of European Funds, will present key project structuring tools such as the AL-INVEST Verde Sustainable Coffee programme.
The panel will be completed with the participation of Luis Betancourt, Director of the Technical Agency for Investment and Cooperation of Ibagué, providing the territorial vision of Tolima; Viviana Narváez, Administrative Manager of Tecnicafé, who will address social innovation; and Lorena Rodríguez, professor at the Amazon Regional University of Ecuador (IKIAM), who will present business models based on the Amazonian bioeconomy.
This in-person event will serve as a catalyst to connect public sector actors, coffee cooperatives, universities, and Agrotech companies, fostering the creation of bi-regional networks that boost the profitability and efficiency of the sector.
About the ECOFFEE project
The ECOFFEE project has a budget of €256,451.25, co-funded by the European Union through the Horizon Europe programme (Grant Agreement CIRCULOOS No. 101092295). Its objective is to demonstrate an integrated model for coffee grounds valorisation through innovative technologies and digital traceability systems.
The project consortium is composed of AZTI, Euskovazza, FUMIHOGAR (LIFE FUMIGREEN), and the Finnova Foundation, working together to promote sustainable, replicable solutions with real impact in the agri-food value chain.
More information: https://ecoffeeproject.eu/