The BETTED project is pleased to showcase the extended abstract “The BETTED Framework: A Systemic Approach to Energy Transition and Circularity in the Dairy Industry”, presented under Panel 2: Sustainable Industrial Production Systems at the Zero Carbon Industry Event in Rome.
Authored by researchers and experts from the University of Brescia (UNIBS), Riga Technical University (RTU), and the Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy (IEECP), the contribution presents the overarching framework that underpins the BETTED project and its vision for transforming the dairy value chain into a more sustainable, circular, and energy-efficient system.
The dairy sector is one of the most important segments of the European food industry, but it is also among the most energy- and resource-intensive. Addressing the sector’s environmental impact requires more than isolated technological improvements. Instead, BETTED proposes a systemic approach that considers the entire dairy value chain, from production to processing and distribution, with the aim of reducing dependence on fossil fuels, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing resilience.
At the core of the BETTED framework is the transition from a traditional linear model towards a circular and energy self-sufficient dairy ecosystem. The project promotes the integration of renewable energy sources such as biogas generated from manure fermentation and solar energy, combined with energy-efficiency measures and innovative technologies including heat pumps, absorption chillers, and cogeneration systems.
A distinctive feature of the framework is its focus on circularity and industrial symbiosis. Rather than viewing waste as a by-product to be discarded, BETTED explores opportunities to valorise waste streams and create regenerative resource flows that contribute to both environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness.
The contribution also introduces one of the project’s key outputs: a comprehensive toolbox designed to map and assess energy consumption, environmental impacts, and economic performance across the dairy value chain. This decision-support tool helps stakeholders identify tailored strategies for implementing energy-efficiency measures and renewable energy solutions while considering technical, behavioural, financial, and policy-related factors.
By demonstrating how energy systems, supply chains, and resource management can be addressed in an integrated manner, the BETTED framework provides a practical roadmap for accelerating the decarbonisation of the dairy sector. The approach illustrates how circular economy principles and energy transition strategies can work together to create a more sustainable and competitive future for dairy production in Europe.
Although no full paper is available, the extended abstract offers valuable insights into the project’s methodology and long-term vision for transforming the dairy value chain.
For more information, you can download the presentation at the following link:
https://proceedings.eceee.org/papers/proceedings2025/2-074-25_Zanoni_Pres.pdf
Authors: Beatrice Marchi, Simone Zanoni, Francesco Romagnoli and Christina Kachacha.