On Tuesday, 29 September 2026, Sabadell Hub Empresa Valencia will host the international event “From Seed to Cup”, the final dissemination event of the European ECOFFEE project (Horizon Europe / CIRCULOOS)
The event will showcase how biotechnology can transform waste coffee grounds from the HORECA sector into biofertilisers and natural biocides — ecological alternatives to chemical pesticides — as well as high-value animal feed, reducing CO₂ emissions by 30%
The event will bring together representatives from the European Commission, diplomatic missions, AECID, technology centre AZTI, the Latin American TECNiCAFÉ network, the CHOICE project, Fundació Clima i Energia, CEMAS and Intereco
VALENCIA, 22 September 2026. – Valencia will become the European capital of the circular bioeconomy next Tuesday, 29 September 2026 (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. CEST) with the international event “From Seed to Cup: Innovation, Climate Action and Circular Economy in the Coffee Value Chain”. Organised by the Finnova Foundation at the Sabadell Hub Empresa Valencia, the event represents the final dissemination milestone of Task 3.4 of the European ECOFFEE project, funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme through CIRCULOOS.
From urban waste to crop protection
Europe consumes more than 3.2 million tonnes of coffee every year, with 36% of the resulting organic coffee-ground waste generated through the HORECA channel (hotels, restaurants and cafés) and vending machines. Under the traditional linear model, this by-product ends up being incinerated or sent to landfill, generating greenhouse gas emissions.
In response to this challenge, the ECOFFEE consortium — led by technology centre AZTI and comprising Euskovazza, FumiHogar and the Finnova Foundation — will present a pioneering circular economy model in Valencia:
1. Smart reverse logistics: Making use of Euskovazza’s existing coffee delivery routes to collect used coffee grounds from hospitality establishments, avoiding redundant transport costs.
2. Biofertilisers and natural biocides: FumiHogar will formulate ecological biocides based on the repellent and antimicrobial properties of coffee, providing the agricultural sector with a clean alternative to synthetic pesticides and insecticides.
3. High-value animal feed: AZTI will characterise the waste and transform it into a high-value nutritional ingredient for animal feed.
Through the use of the EU’s digital tools RAMP (traceability and circular marketplace) and GRETA (Life Cycle Assessment), the project certifies a valorisation rate of more than 40% of the collected waste and a minimum 30% reduction in CO₂ emissions.
Sensory experience and transatlantic synergies
The event will feature an interactive coffee-tasting session led by Viviana Narváez, Development Director at TECNiCAFÉ (Colombia) and the CHOICE project. She will guide participants on a sensory journey exploring the origin and organoleptic richness of coffee, directly connecting the moment of enjoying a cup with the circular valorisation solution.
The roundtable on climate action and agricultural sustainability will also bring together the expertise of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the organic certification perspective of Intereco, the urban vision of CEMAS and Fundació València Clima i Energia, alongside the local specialty coffee sector (Elixir Café) and consortium companies such as Supracafé and Bioazul.
Statements
“The ECOFFEE project demonstrates that the ecological transition and decarbonisation are not merely theoretical concepts, but viable industrial solutions. Transforming thousands of tonnes of used coffee grounds into biocides that replace chemical pesticides and into animal feed demonstrates the enormous potential of European funding to drive local and cooperative business ecosystems,” highlights Juan Manuel Revuelta, CEO of the Finnova Foundation.
The event will conclude with a presentation of upcoming open EU funding calls (LIFE Programme, AL-INVEST Verde and Global Gateway) aimed at promoting the replication of these technologies in Latin America.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION AND MEDIA COVERAGE
• Event: International event “From Seed to Cup: Innovation, Climate Action and Circular Economy in the Coffee Value Chain”.
• Date and Time: Tuesday, 29 September 2026 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (CEST).
• Venue: Sabadell Hub Empresa Valencia (Plaza Rodrigo Botet, 2, Valencia). Hybrid format (in-person / online streaming).
• Registration: Official registration on Eventbrite
ABOUT ECOFFEE
ECOFFEE is a pilot project funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme (Grant Agreement No. 101092295 through CIRCULOOS Open Call 2). It has a budget of €256,451.25 and a duration of 12 months. The project is coordinated by technology centre AZTI, together with partners Euskovazza, FumiHogar and the Finnova Foundation. More information: ECOFFEE project website.
ABOUT THE FINNOVA FOUNDATION
Finnova is a European foundation based in Brussels and Spain specialising in promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and the mobilisation of European funding for sustainability, the environment and the circular economy. More information: Finnova Foundation.
Press Contact / Interviews: Yolanda Durán / Juanma Revuelta
Communications Team – Finnova Foundation