A day of Science with NEWPOWER

An open event co-organised by Universitat de Lleida, Universitat de Zaragoza, Ingredalia and Recoop as beneficiaries of the NEWPOWER project under the Interreg Sudoe Programme This event is part of the dissemination activities of the NEWPOWER project, co-funded by the Interreg Sudoe Programme. “A Day of Science with NEWPOWER” offers a full morning of immersive and engaging activities aimed at helping the general public discover how science and sustainability come together to give new life to what is usually considered waste. 

The event offers a guided experience through the different stages of working with agricultural residues. It begins with a visit to the research laboratories, where participants will discover how materials such as branches, flowers, and leaves from the field are processed. The focus is on the extraction of valuable compounds and the classification of these residues according to their properties, identifying their potential uses in areas like food, health, and more.  

In the next part of the experience, participants will explore how these extracts are analysed. Through hands-on examples, they will learn what lies within these natural materials and how their antioxidant, therapeutic, and other properties are identified and studied.  

The journey concludes with a showcase of real products made from plant-based residues. Participants will see how these once-discarded materials have been transformed into new items, including food products, dietary supplements, fertilisers, and cosmetics—demonstrating the practical applications and potential of upcycling in the bioeconomy.