I’ll start by adapting a saying: “One man’s by-product is another man’s treasure.” That is, we can use the waste generated during the production stages of the industry—in this case, the agri-food industry—in a wide variety of ways and with a multitude of applications in different areas.
And how is this done? Well, in our case, we extract (or at least try to) various components of meat byproducts, such as proteins, by applying a series of “tricks” in the laboratory.
To put things in context, let’s first give a brief introduction to proteins. They have a series of properties, such as their structure, that we can use to our advantage to extract them from the matrix in which they are found. As you know, the basic organization of proteins is a “skeleton” of amino acids, known as the primary structure, which, depending on its combination, results in one protein or another. However, apart from this basic organization, we will also have other, slightly more complex aspects: the folding and three-dimensional structure of that chain of amino acids, known as secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures. This spatial organization is what allows proteins to perform their multiple functions, because it gives rise to the physicochemical interactions between them and other components, applicable from the cellular level to the component level within a food.
Source: Instagram @ifas_publication
Once the theoretical framework is introduced, we can delve deeper into the practical part, which is more entertaining, or so they say. If we change some condition in the laboratory of our protein of interest, such as temperature or pH, we can disturb it enough for it to denature. When a protein denatures, it loses its three-dimensional structure, sometimes in a more dramatic way and, therefore, irreversible. Thus, we can extract them and uncouple them from the rest of the components because we have altered the established chemical bonds.
One way to denature proteins is to change their pH values as desired. By changing the pH of the sample containing proteins, we change the interactions between them and the medium, altering their structure and behavior, for example, affecting their solubility. First, we change the pH, causing them to leave the sample and solubilize in water. Once they are removed from the rest of the sample, we change the pH again, causing them to no longer have charges available to interact with water and precipitate. Finally, by shaking them, we isolate them from the rest of the components of our raw material to obtain a protein concentrate.
And now it’s time to get creative, because after the intricate laboratory process, we move on to the kitchen! These proteins we’ve obtained can be used, for example, as a dietary supplement or as an ingredient in food. This opens the door to endless possibilities, but without forgetting the most important thing: we reduce industrial waste, eliminating byproducts and enabling product development and improvement, because, as they say, nothing goes to waste here!
And that, among many other things, is what we do at CARTIF, we try to use the byproducts of the agri-food industry as widely as possible to reduce the waste it creates, while always supporting a healthy diet.
Imagine if every product that reaches your hands could explain its story: where it comes from, what materials it was made with, what processes it went through, how its quality was guaranteed and under what conditions it was transported to its destination.
We live in an era in where information is everything. However, in the industrial world we still let valuable data get lost in siloed systems and time-sensistive decisiones. What if we could make that data visible, useful and connected?
Today, thanks to technologies such as Industry 4.0 and real-time capture systems, production plants generate more information than ever before. But having dat is not enough. The key is structuring, interpreting and connecting it. Turning disparate data into useful knowledge is the first step toward truly intelligent digital labeling.
This is precisely what the European projectbi0space is seeking: to develop a digital labeling system for bio-based products that allows each batch to be traced from origin to delivery. This system not only collect technical information ont raw materials, processes and quality controls, but will also include logisitcs data, transportation conditions and environmental KPIs.
Why it is necessary the digital labelling?
In today’s industrial processes, much of the key information about a product’s manufacturing is scattered across different platforms or unstructured. This makes complete traceability of what happens in the plant difficult and, consequently, complicates operational decision-making, continuous improvement, and the justification of sustainability and quality standards. In the context of bio-based production, where materials can vary depending on the supplier, harvest, or process, having control over each stage of the product’s lifecycle becomes especially important. Hence the need to establish a system that allows all this information to be collected and accessed in a unified and accessible manner.
What type of information will be collected?
The digital labeling system being designed at biOSpace includes five essential blocks of information:
All this data is linked by a unique digital identifier that accompanies the product throughout its entire journey, from entry into the factory to exit. This label is progressively completed, adding information as the product goes through different stages of the process: raw material reception, processing, quality control, packaging, transportation, etc.
This modular identifier structure allows for precise tracing of the product´s journey and condition at each stage, ensuring all relevant information is connected in a clear and structured manner.
What can be reach thanks to the integral traceability?
The value of this information lies not only in its storage, but also in its practical use, tailored to each need. Therefore one of the goals is to enable the system to be accessed from internal dashboards that help plant staff make decisions in real-time, and that at the same time to be integrated into broader digital environments, such as management systems or digital twin platforms.
Furthermore, the same digital label can offer different levels of information depending on the profile of the user consulting it. An operator can view technical data on the process or quality controls, while a sutainability manager can acces environmental KPIs, and an end consumer can view an accesible summary of the product´s origin, characteristics, and traceability.
This detailed traceability will also contribute to what is now becoming known as the digital product passport, a tool that is gaining importance within the framework of European policies toward a more transparent and circular economy.
“What we do with our data today sets the course for what we will do with our products tomorrow”
Although this solution is still in the design phase, it´s based on a simple but important question: what are we doing with all the information already generated in our factories?
In several cases, data exists, but it´s not connected, shared, or simply not used. This project seeks precisely that: to make sense of it, organize it, and make it availabke to those who need it, from the operator who manages a batch to the strategic decision-maker or the persona who, at the end of the chain, consumes the product.
It´s not about incorporating technology as a trend, but rather about using it with criteria. It´s about building tools that allow us to better understand what we produce, how we do it and what impact it has, at a time when traceability, sustainability and transparency are no longer options, but rather conditions for continued progress.
Talking about Dubai means revisiting the Innovating R&D posts on the CARTIF blog. It means discussing the characteristics of ecosystems that foster resilience and help avoid “lotus flower” scenarios. It means reflecting on the essence and purpose that keep us in constant motion and make us feel fulfilled. It’s about engaging in continuous, repetitive routines of trial and error to achieve breakthroughs through innovation. It means encouraging a demand for innovation that prevents undervaluing its true worth. Ultimately, it means giving the attention it deserves to our beloved “i” of Innovation.
The lotus flower, capable of blooming in the mud, has long symbolized perseverance, transformation, and beauty that emerges from adversity. Dubai has flourished in a naturally adverse environment, positioning itself as one of the most powerful innovation ecosystems in the world. Dubai shares that spirit: in the heart of the desert, it has built not just a city, but a vision of the future. A vision not limited to the present, but one that boldly embraces innovation as the driving force of its strategic development.
Dubai is not a product of chance. It is the result of an ambitious roadmap, built on political and economic decisions that have placed innovation at the core of its identity. Initiatives like Vision 2040, the Blockchain Strategy, Smart Cities, and incentives for startups in fields such as AI, fintech, sustainability, or health are not isolated gestures — they are essential components of a model designed to anticipate the challenges of tomorrow.
Free zones, tech hubs, acceleration programs, and urban experimentation spaces reflect Dubai’s commitment to being a living lab for disruptive solutions. Dubai understands that building the future is not about waiting for it to arrive, but about designing it in the present — with a mindset open to collaboration, adaptable, dynamic, and deeply strategic.
“Building the future is designing it in the present”
Experiencing Dubai from the inside reveals much more than the shine of its skyscrapers. Its multiculturalism, obsession with efficiency, and rapid execution capabilities make it fertile ground for those looking to turn ideas into real-world impact. Amid cultural contrasts and social challenges, a spirit of perseverance stands out: every step, every investment, every reform is aligned with a long-term, shared goal.
Like the lotus flower that rises above murky waters, Dubai blossoms on arid land thanks to its roots: vision, strategy, and innovation. It is precisely that connection between resilience and future that makes it a global benchmark for those who believe that innovation ecosystems are not improvised, they are built.
In just a few decades, the city has evolved from a small trading port to a futuristic metropolis, driven by a visionary development model rooted in economic diversification, free zones with unique incentives, and a strong commitment to technological innovation. This transformation is not only the result of strategic decisions, but of a mindset open to change and entrepreneurship, which enables the attraction of talent, investment, and global opportunities.
Dubai blends ambitious megaprojects and cutting-edge infrastructure with a multiculturalism felt in every corner: over 200 nationalities coexist in an environment where adaptability is key. Initiatives such as Vision 2040 or the Blockchain Strategy reflect the emirate’s long-term approach, with a strong focus on technology and continuous improvement of the business landscape.
From a personal perspective, living and experiencing Dubai means confronting its contrasts: luxury and austerity, tradition and modernity, the local and the global. This duality doesn’t weaken its model — it enriches it. Despite ongoing cultural or social tensions, what truly stands out is its capacity for constant reinvention, creating an ecosystem where startups, major corporations, and innovation coexist and thrive.
Dubai represents the power of rising boldly from complex conditions. Its apparent perfection may seem artificial, but it is precisely that relentless drive for improvement that fuels its ongoing progress. Along that path, it becomes not only a business benchmark, but also a symbol of what strategic vision, global openness, and resilience can achieve.
Innovate for you, innovate for me, innovate for us.
When we see a pig, we all tend to think that every part of it can be used: its delicious hams, pork cracklings, chorizo, loins…..including, as the saying goes “even its walk”. However, at CARTIF we know there ir more beyond that: a great variety of by-products and waste generated during the stages prior to the production of all these products.
A similar situation occurs in the sheep sector. Is not only about milk, used for cheese, or meat, such as suckling lamb, but many types of waste also appear throughout the processing stages, such as skins, viscera, or blood, whose treatment entails, apart from its environmental impact, an additional cost for companies.
The cattle sector, in turn, shares common challenges with the previous ones, facing the management of a long list of waste products such as manure, slurry, blood, bones, viscera, and skins, among others.
In the current context where sustainability and circular economy principles are gaining increasing relevance in industrial processes, waste recovery in the meat industry emerges as a key strategy to optimize resources and reduce environmental impact. The activities of the sheep, pig and cattle sectors (which together account for up to 75% of national meat production) offer enormous potential for the full utilization of their waste. In short, we can talk not only about excellent products (milk, cheese, chorizos or hams), but also about good practices by meat companies, closing the production cycle by generating added value through waste recovery. In most cases, these type of waste are managed by external handlers, representing an additional cost for producers. For this reason, all by-products generated in the meat industry require efficient management and call for innovative ideas to turn them into valuable products.
Source:
An analysis of the meat production process, according to Nedgia, estimates that a cow produces 50kg of manure per day, which amounts approximately 18,250kg/year (1). When the cow arrives at the slaughterhouse, approximately 40 to 50% of its weight consists of by-products, such as bones, blood, hide, víscera, inedible fat and rumen content, all of which must be properly managed.In addition to this, processing a cow at the slaughterhouse may require between 500 and 1,000 liters of water (2), which subsequently becomes a wastewater stream that also needs to be treated.
Approximately 40 to 50% of a cow weight consists of by-products
On the other hand, animal hides are already valorized in the textile and footwear industries, but currently, their demand has decreased compared to other fabrics and synthetic leathers. Therefore, efforts are being made to find alternative applications for their utilization. From hides, as well as from bones and cartilage, collagen can be extracted- a product highly sought after by the cosmetics industry due to its many health benefits. Collagen helps create a protective barrier on our skin against external agents, provides firmness and resilience, promotes wound healing, delays the effects of aging and reduce wrinkles, among other benefits (3). Moreover, its use is associated with improvements in the treatment of common diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis and osteoarhtritis.
According to the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AEND), from the age of 25, collagen production in a healthy person begins to decline, and it is estimated that by the age of 40, the body produces only half as much collagen as it did during adolescence, with this decrease becoming more pronounced in women after menopause (4). Moreover, one of the reasons why our bones weaken is due to the lack of collagen in the body (5). Many of us remember seeing our grandmothers boiling cow bones to extract collagen, straining the broth for consumption; when refrigerated, this broth would turn into a gelatin rich in collagen. Today, it is possible to replicate this process in the laboratory to obtain concentrated collagen as a nutritional supplement, which requires a purification process that presents various challenges related to obtaining pure collagen, free of fats and other proteins.
Illustration of young skin layers and components
Illustration showing layers and components of aged skin
Regarding blood, this fraction represents approximately 3–7% of the live weight of the animal, depending on the species, and has traditionally been used in the production of food products (such as blood sausages and others). However, it is also possible to use it for obtaining food colorants or for the extraction of hemoglobin and/or protein that can be incorporated into various products for human or animal consumption. Once the blood has been collected and treated, plasma can be separated from hemoglobin, or the entire fraction can be dried to obtain a protein-rich product.
Another meat by-product is the intestines of animals, which are currently used in the production of sausages such as salchichón, blood sausage, chorizo, and regular sausages, among others. However, the utilization of this fraction (and its associated economic value) remains quite limited. For many years, it has been known that intestines are a rich source of heparin, a highly demanded medication worldwide due to its clinical use as an anticoagulant. The process of obtaining highly pure and stable heparin requires a lengthy preparation and laboratory treatment. Numerous challenges must be overcome during its extraction, such as selecting the most appropriate extraction and purification methods. In addition to using resins, there are other methods that allow heparin to be isolated from other compounds (proteins and other contaminants). Furthermore, it is essential to ensure the stability of the active ingredient, which involves evaluating whether it should be kept in solution or subjected to a drying process.
The valorization of waste from the meat industry is surrounded by many uncertainties, but in this sea of questions, CARTIF emerges, with its researchers studying and developing new processes for the treatment of these by-products, generating new knowledge and finding viable and sustainable technological solutions to these challenges, thereby offering added value to the meat industry.
CARTIF is firmly committed to this line of research, supporting companies in the meat sector in valorizing all their waste, including slurry, for transformation into various products — whether food, energy (such as renewable gases), or even agronomic products (such as organic fertilizers).
As we have seen, it is not only the pig from which everything can be used — even, as the saying goes, “its very walk.”
Co-author.
Pedro Acebes. Researcher at Agrifood and Processes Division
Informe trimestral de indicadores económicos marzo 2025. Sector vacuno de carne. Ministerio de Agricultura, pesca y alimentación. Gobierno de España.
Área de precios. Informe semanal de coyuntura. Precios Coyunturales. Semana 5-2025 del 27 de enero al 2 de febrero. Subsecretaría Subdirección general de análisis, coordinación y estadística.
Plan territorial de Ordenación de residuos de Tenerife. Residuos de mataderos, decomisos, subproductos cárnicos y animales muestras.
Universidad Nacional del Nordeste Comunicaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas 2003. Cedrés, José F.
In a situation where soil salinity poses a significant threat to global agricultural productivity, scientific research is increasingly focusing on the vital role of soil microorganisms.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), soil salinity is a major challenge for agriculture worldwide, impacting over 20% of arable land. This issue arises from the accumulation of soluble salts, such as sodium, magnesium, and calcium, in the soil, which hinders plants’ ability to absorb water and essential nutrients necessary for their growth. Additionally, suboptimal soil management practices— including excessive irrigation without adequate control, deforestation, and urbanization— exacerbate this challenge. Research indicates that improper irrigation practices can result in salt accumulation due to water evaporation, consequently diminishing crop productivity.
As climate change affects rainfall patterns and increases global temperatures, the increase in salinity is threatening food security and affecting key crops in multiple regions. This situation of overexploitation and mismanagement of water resources not only exacerbates salt stress but also leads to soil degradation, a well-documented issue that diminishes the soil’s capacity for regeneration and directly affects biodiversity and ecosystems.
Impact of salinity on plant development. Source: Global map of salt-affected soils. GSASmap v1.0. 2021, Rome. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The rise in salinity is one of the most pressing challenge in modern agriculture. The scientific community is proactively tackling this issue by developing innovative solutions. In this regard, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) has emerged as a valuable technology. Recent advancements in NGS have allowed researchers to analyze plant genomes with great precision, which has been facilitaterd the identification of key genes linked to salt stress resistance. The integration of NGS with genetic studies has advanced crop improvement through genetic engineering, aiming to transfer salt tolerance traits from halophytes -plants that thrive in high salinity environments- to more susceptible crops. This strategy provides a promising avenue for cultivating more resilient crops, ultimately enhancing agricultural productivity in salt-affected soils and contributing to future food security.
Similarly, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) has facilitated substantial advancements in our understanding of soil microbiota, the diverse community of microorganisms (including bacteria, fungi, actinobacteria, and others) that inhabit the soil and are essential for its health and plant development. Metagenomic and bioinformatic studies are offering clearer insights into the microbial diversity found in soils, particularly those impacted by salinity, and how this microbiota can affect plant tolerance to challenging conditions. A well-balanced soil enriched with microbial biodiversity enhances plant resilience under various stressors, thereby improving agricultural productivity. Consequently, understanding and effectively managing soil microbiota -especially in saline environments- emerges as a crucial strategy for fostering more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) process based on soil samples.Source: DeFord, L., Yoon, J.Y. Soil microbiome characterization and its future directions with biosensing. J Biol Eng 18, 50 (2024). doi: 10.1186/s13036-024-00444-1.
The halophilic microbiota found in saline soils plays a vital role in assisting plants in managing salt stress. Utilizing Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), we can identify and comprehensively characterize the microorganisms present in these environments, particularly those adapted to high salinity. NGS facilitates the mapping of microbial diversity, enabling the identification of specific bacteria and fungi that promote plant growth, as well as assessing their metabolic capabilities. Certain microorganisms, including particular fungi and bacteria, can produce bioactive compounds that serve as protective barriers for plant roots, helping to mitigate the adverse impacts of salinity. This molecular approach presents new opportunities for developing microbial inoculants derived from these beneficial microorganisms, which can be directly applied to saline soils to enhance agricultural productivity in a more sustainable and resilient manner. By adopting these technologies, we can also reduce dependence on chemical products, which, while sometimes effective, may pose risks to ecosystems and human health.
“NGS facilitates the mapping of microbial diversity, enabling the identification of specific bacteria and fungi that promote plant growth, as well as assessing their metabolic capabilities.”
This approach -integrating the study of soil microbiota with Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology– offers a more efficient strategy for addressing salinity while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. It supports long-term soil health and minimizes environmental impact. In this context, soil microbiota emerges as a pivotal ally in confronting one of the most significant agricultural challenges of the 21st century.
From our laboratory at CARTIF, we have the technological capabilities and the necessary expertise to study and characterize both soil microbiota and its interaction with plants under saline stress conditions. Through the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) tools, bioinformatics analyses, and molecular assays, we can identify beneficial microorganisms that promote soil health and crop resilience, thereby contributing to the development of more sustainable agricultural practices adapted to today’s environmental challenges.
1Global status of salt-affected soils, Foro Internacional del Suelo y el Agua. 2024 Bangkok. Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (FAO).
2 Singh AK, Pal P, Sahoo UK, Sharma L, Pandey B, Prakash A, Sarangi PK, Prus P, Pașcalău R, Imbrea F. Enhancing Crop Resilience: The Role of Plant Genetics, Transcription Factors, and Next-Generation Sequencing in Addressing Salt Stress. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Nov 22;25(23):12537. doi: 10.3390/ijms252312537.
3 Frąc M, Hannula SE, Bełka M, Jędryczka M. Fungal Biodiversity and Their Role in Soil Health. Front Microbiol. 2018 Apr 13;9:707. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00707.
4 Mishra A, Singh L, Singh D. Unboxing the black box-one step forward to understand the soil microbiome: A systematic review. Microb Ecol. 2023 Feb;85(2):669-683. doi: 10.1007/s00248-022-01962-5.
5 Pérez-Inocencio J, Iturriaga G, Aguirre-Mancilla CL, Vásquez-Murrieta MS, Lastiri-Hernández MA, Álvarez-Bernal D. Reduction in Salt Stress Due to the Action of Halophilic Bacteria That Promote Plant Growth in Solanum lycopersicum. Microorganisms. 2023; 11(11):2625. doi:10.3390/microorganisms11112625.
6 Adomako MO, Roiloa S, Yu FH. Potential Roles of Soil Microorganisms in Regulating the Effect of Soil Nutrient Heterogeneity on Plant Performance. Microorganisms. 2022 Dec 3;10(12):2399. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10122399.
In March 2024 I was at a conference on information technologies during which a person from REE stated that in the future we will not be able to take the security of electricity supply for granted. This person did not explain the reason for such a statement, but I do not think he was thinking of a catastrophic blackout like the one we suffered last April 28,2025 in Spain. From the context of the workshop, it is possible that he meant that, in an electricity system based exlcusively on renewable generation, there may be times when the available generation will not be able to cover all demand without bringing down the entire electricity system. In any case, this hypothetical situation is related to what some consider to be, if not the cause of the blackout, at least its framework. I´m refering to the lack of inertia in the electric system.
For years, research articles have been published characterizing inertia and studying how it has been decreasing as the penetration of renewable energies has increased. This hasn´t not only occured in Spain, but also in all countries that are introducing renewable energies in a significant way. The famous 50 Hz of the grid, which we see on the nameplates of any domestic device, have their origin in the rotation of the rotors of the alternators of hydroelectric, thermal and nuclear power plants which, thanks to their mass, have the inertia that allows them to compensate for sudden and transient variations in frequency. As these types of generators lose ground in electricity generation, physical sources at 50Hz also disappear, and the system becomes more vulnerable to inestabilities that can alter this frequency. Redeia itself acknowledge the risk this situation poses to the electricity system´s balancing capacity in its 2024 Consolidated Management Report. This should lead us yo believe that the transition to an electricity system based only on renewable energy can not consist only of installing more and more renewable generation capacity.
Renewable energy sources, both wind and photovoltaic, use electronic power converters. These converters are designed to feed the energy into a well-constituted grid with its expected 50 Hz. They are grid-following converters. For that reason, if they detect that the grid is unstable they disconnect from it. This is what may have happened on April 28 when, according to ENTSO-e, the frequency dropped to 48 Hz. Unlike conventional converters, there are others capable of generating synthetic inertia, i.e., by means of appropriate devices and control techniques, it is possible for the converters to react within milliseconds to changes in the grid frequency and thus mimic the response of a generator with natural inertia. In this way, renewable generation could contribute to grid stability. Such converters can also achieve the same effect with batteries, so that the batteries would not only store the renewable surplus, but also contribute to grid stability. But for such converters to be developed commercially, they need to be covered by regulations. The European Union launched the procedure in 2022 to initiate the revision of the corresponding grid codes, but it is a process that takes years until each country finally integrates them into its regulations. It will also be necessary to modify the regulations so that batteries can have access to all the services available on the market.
It should not be forgotten that demand can also contribute to grid stability. In Spain, the active demand response service (SRAD) has already been activated four times, through which the system operator requests the disconnection of the loads of those consumers who voluntarily participate in the service and who receive remuneration in exchange for their flexibility. But the conditions for participation leave out many potential participants. It is necessary to lower the minimum power or allow the aggregation of consumers and increase the frequency of auctions to facilitate the incorporation of more power to the service. It seems that all these ideas are already on the table and could be a reality soon. Along the same lines, the announced capacity market could play an important role in the stability of the system. In this market, generation, storage and demand will be able to participate. It seems that aggregation will be allowed, which could open the door for small consumers, such as domestic consumers, to take advantage of the flexibility of their demand for their own benefit and for the benefit of the system.
“The Active Demand Response Service (SRAD) is established as a specific balancing product provided by the electricity demand of the Spanish peninsula electrical system to address situations where a shortage of upward tertiary regulation reserve is identified.”
Finally, to transform the electrical system, in addition to all of the above, new lines will have to be laid in the most saturated areas and grid monitoring improved. Simply filling thousands of acres with panels and wind turbines isn’t enough. And an important question remains: how to finance all of this.
