Research activities in this area aim at the characterization and valorization of processing wastes, with a focus on waste from agri-food products. The goal is the recovery and purification of natural organic substances with high added value that can be used in multiple sectors of strategic interest to the area. These include, but are not limited to, the fields of nutraceuticals, functional foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals and cosmetics.

The project is also distinguished by the use of organic substances recovered from agroindustrial processing wastes. These substances are used for the development and technology transfer of new formulations dedicated to the production of biodegradable bioplastics. These bioplastics, designed for domestic and/or industrial composting, are intended particularly for food packaging and the cosmeceutical/cosmetic sector.

The newly developed materials are characterized by their advanced chemical-physical and biological properties, making them polyfunctional and particularly suitable for extending the shelf-life of packaged products. They also offer effective protection against oxidative damage (thanks to a barrier effect), as well as providing resistance against microbiological and photochemical damage.