The Rural BioReFarmeries (RBRF) project is rethinking how we can build and optimise local, circular and sustainable value chains for bio-based products. By focusing on small-scale and decentralised green biorefineries, the project aims to unlock the potential of rural areas across Europe — reducing waste, boosting local economies and supporting the EU’s green transition.
To successfully achieve the project’s mission, the 19 partners that conform the RBRF consortium are joining forces across 8 work packages. This article focuses on Work Package 1 (WP1), led by Aarhus University.
WP1 in a nutshell
Title: Sustainable Local Supply Chain Optimisation
WP Leader: Claus Grøn Sørensen, Aarhus University.
This work package focuses on designing and optimising local biomass supply chains tailored to small-scale green biorefineries. It aims to create smart, decentralised systems that support efficient resource use, reduce environmental impact, and promote circularity in rural areas. Central to this effort is the development of the Smart Biomass Supply Chain (SBSC) tool, a digital platform that will support better planning and logistics in bio-based value chains.
Key objectives
WP1 is dedicated to:
- Designing timely, efficient, and cost-effective local supply chains tailored to the needs of small-scale green biorefineries.
- Exploring different decentralised biorefinery scenarios, optimising the recirculation of nutrients and materials.
- Developing and validating the Smart Biomass Supply Chain (SBSC) tool, which will support better decision-making, scheduling of operations, and logistics planning.
Main tasks and technical activities
To meet these goals, the WP1 team is carrying out several coordinated tasks over the course of the project:
- Supply chain development and description: Mapping out local biomass value chains for various biorefinery configurations, identifying key inputs, outputs, and flow patterns.
- Logistic optimisation module: Creating a decision-support module to optimise transport and logistics in diverse rural settings.
- Harvest scheduling prediction module: Developing predictive models using machine learning to support accurate harvest timing, based on real field data and experimental setups.
- ICT infrastructure for the SBSC Tool: Building the digital backbone to integrate the different modules into one user-friendly platform.
A collaborative effort
In WP1, the Aarhus team will be working closely with Munster Technological University (MTU), FarmB, Agricultural University Plovdiv (AUP) and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) to shape both the conceptual design and the technical development of the supply chain tools.
FarmB leads the ICT infrastructure work, ensuring that the SBSC tool will be integrated, practical and accessible. Meanwhile, MTU and WUR provide technical expertise on logistics and agricultural systems, helping translate models into real-world applications.
Expected outcomes
As WP1 progresses, the Rural BioReFarmeries team will deliver a series of innovative outcomes:
- A redesigned set of biomass value chains.
- Fully functional logistics and harvest prediction modules.
- Integration and validation of these tools within a digital ICT platform.
Together, these advancements will help rural communities make the most of their local biomass potential — paving the way for a more resilient and circular bioeconomy across Europe.
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