MixMatters is a revolutionary European project that transforms mixed biological waste (organic matter, plastics, cardboard, etc.) into seven high-value products: powdered ingredients, concentrated sugars, green fibers, recombinant proteins, bioactive compounds, and bioplastic monomers.
The system consists of a modular separation unit, equipped with robotics and AI to sort waste on-site, and a valorization hub, where the separated streams are refined to create new circular materials.
Furthermore, it integrates an automated decision system that optimizes logistics and configuration to maximize economic and environmental performance, ensuring traceability with digital product passports.
Each year in the EU more than 113 million tons of mixed biological waste are generated, but up to 75% ends up in landfills or is incinerated due to its heterogeneous nature, resulting in a significant loss of resources and CO₂ emissions.
MixMatters is developing a mobile, modular station to separate mixed waste directly at the point of generation, using AI and robotics to remove impurities.
These streams are then sent to a biorefinery hub where they are transformed to maximize their utilization. The data-driven decision system optimizes the configuration according to the type of waste and its origin, balancing costs and benefits.
During the demonstration, MixMatters is processing 48 tons of mixed biological waste.
The project is expected to prevent 21 tons of CO₂ per year.
In the long term, it is expected to process 6.240 tons per year, reduce plastic emissions, avoid 2.780 tons of CO₂/year, and generate at least €24,6 million in the first five years of industrial operation.
Furthermore, social acceptance is encouraged, as the project integrates the consumer's voice to design bio-based products that meet their needs.
