AgTech Funding and Investments

August 10, 2025

RUNFASTER4EU launches to demonstrate more sustainable oil crop cultivation on marginal lands and upgrade two flagship Italian plants for bioproducts.

As Europe seeks to accelerate its green transition, new solutions are needed to produce high-value bio-based products without compromising food production or natural ecosystems. Marginal lands, often overlooked, may hold the key.

Launched in July 2025, RUNFASTER4EU is a flagship European project that aims to transform such lands into more sustainable sources of bio-based raw materials for cosmetics, bioplastics, bio-stimulants, bioherbicides, dielectric fluids, feed ingredients, and NIPU (Non-Isocyanate Polyurethanes) for vertical gardens and more.

At the heart of the project are the upgrades of two major Italian flagship plants: Matrìca at Porto Torres and Versalis at Crescentino. The initiative also includes the deployment of large-scale cultivation trials of low-ILUC-risk oil crops like safflower, and other oleaginous crops, with active involvement from local farmers and the validation of innovative agronomic practices.

RUNFASTER4EU is funded by the Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), a partnership between the European Union and Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), with a contribution of €19,908,650.25. It unites 18 partners from 10 European countries, combining industrial leadership with scientific expertise to build a resilient and circular bioeconomy.

Kick-off Meeting

Held on 8–9 July 2025 at the Eni R&D Center in San Donato Milanese, the kick-off meeting marked a critical milestone for the five-year project, setting the stage for an ambitious roadmap. Representatives from all project partners and the CBE JU gathered to define activities and next steps.

Vision and Objectives

RUNFASTER4EU will demonstrate sustainability and replicability at industrial scale by creating new value chains focused on cultivating low-ILUC-risk oil crops on marginal lands (unproductive, polluted, or economically unviable) not used for food or feed.

These crops will produce vegetable oils and residual biomass for high-value bio-based products using a cascading model. The project will prioritize soil health and regeneration and enable large-scale sustainable farming across Italy, Greece, Serbia, Spain, and Romania — with full engagement of local farmers.

Project Consortium

● Versalis SPA (Coordinator)
● Novamont SPA
● Matrica SPA
● Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna
● Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving
● ena Development Consultants
● AHAVA Dead Sea Laboratories Ltd.
● AGRI 2000 IBERIA S.L.
● Agri 2000 Net RO SRL
● BF Educational SRL
● PNO Innovation Unipessoal LDA
● LEDA Polymer SP ZOO
● Carhue Piggeries Limited
● Institut Za Ratarstvo I Povrtarstvo Institut Od Nars
● CIFO SRL
● Federazione Regionale Coldiretti Campania
● Fundació Universitària Balmes
● NAFIGATE Park S.R.O.

For more information, contact:
Project Coordinator: Stefano Inno (stefano.inno@versalis.eni.com)
Communication Manager: Stella Bazdani (info@runfaster4eu.eu)
Website: https://runfaster4eu.eu