Prima materia - Development of natural composites from agro-industrial waste for responsible architecture and design materials

The recovery of agricultural waste is a sustainable and innovative practice aligned with the circular economy. It transforms by-products into valuable resources, promoting environmental and economic benefits. In the wood-based industry, especially particleboard, several agricultural residues have been explored. This project aims to create a high-value design product for premium markets using waste from the national coffee, wine, and olive oil sectors, along with a binder derived from the waste itself. The work includes: i) waste characterization, ii) raw material preparation, iii) composite production with a bio-based adhesive, and iv) evaluation of physico-mechanical performance for interior design use.