The CDTI Innovation seeks a Spanish company to collaborate with Egypt in an R&D project on the valorisation of agro-industrial waste

The National Research Center, a research entity in Egypt, and the international company Elephant Company, dedicated to the transformation of raw materials of animal origin into high-value inputs for the animal feed, agriculture and industry sectors, are looking for a Spanish company to carry out an R&D project on the recovery of agro-industrial waste.
 
The project proposes the development of a biotechnological process for the recovery of protein-rich waste, such as poultry waste (feathers), gelatine waste and other agro-industrial by-products. Through microbial enzymatic hydrolysis, these residues will be transformed into bioactive amino acids and peptides with dual application, both in the supplementation of animal feed and in the improvement of crop productivity.

The objectives of the research are:

• Isolating and optimizing microbial strains capable of efficiently hydrolyzing keratin and proteins
• Characterize the resulting amino acid and peptide hydrolysates for their nutritional and bioactive properties
• Validate their performance in livestock, aquaculture and crop testing
• Establish pilot scale processes that comply with EU safety standards for feed and fertilizer

The methodology integrates microbial biotechnology on a laboratory scale at the National Research Center of Egypt, bioprocess engineering on a pilot scale and regulatory compliance, as well as industrial validation through feed and fertilizer tests conducted by Egyptian and Spanish companies. Advanced analytical techniques (HPLC, LC-MS, proteomics) will be used to ensure scientific rigour, while industrial partners will facilitate scaling and commercialization.

Expected results include new microbial enzyme systems, amino acid hydrolysates and validated peptides with proven bioactivity, and a scalable process for sustainable waste valorisation. The economic potential lies in reducing dependence on imported feed additives and fertilisers, creating new bio-based products for livestock and agricultural productivity, and opening up marketing opportunities in Egypt, Spain and the wider markets of the EU and the MENA region. The project contributes to the principles of the circular economy, food security and sustainable agriculture.

The proposed proposal aims at its presentation to the call 2026 of the ESIP program "Egypt Spain Innovation Programme", within the framework of the Spanish-Egyptian Bilateral Technological Cooperation Program, which will remain open until December 3, 2026.

Interested entities can consult additional information on the partner search and a summary of the proposal at this link.

Contacts

For additional information on the technical scope of the proposal and the role of the Spanish company concerned, you can contact Dr. Azza Abdel-Fattah: abdelfattah.azza@yahoo.com.

For specific information and advice on this search for partners and/or on the ESIP call, you can contact the Office of the Delegation of North Africa and Middle East of the CDTI Innovation:

• José Manuel Durán: josemanuel.duran@cdti.es
• Francisco Sánchez Quintana: francisco.sanchez@cdti.es

CDTI Innovation

The Center for Technological Development and Innovation, CDTI E.P.E. It is the innovation agency of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, whose objective is the promotion of technological innovation in the business environment. The mission of the CDTI is to ensure that the Spanish business fabric generates and transforms scientific and technical knowledge into globally competitive, sustainable and inclusive growth. In 2025, within the framework of the Strategic Plan 2024-2027, the CDTI provided 2,423 million euros of support to Spanish companies and startups.

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