Regional Trends and Prospects in Side-Stream Valorization in Europe and Ukraine
Abstract
Valorization of organic waste, including plant residues, animal manure, food industry by-products, and sewage sludge, represents a strategic pathway toward sustainable resource use and circular bioeconomy models. A defining characteristic of the agri-industrial sector is the large volume of organic waste, which can be converted into valuable secondary resources. This enables the development of methodological foundations for a modern agri-food system based on principles of sustainability, circularity, ecosystem approaches, and social inclusion. This article aims to assess current trends and future prospects in the valorization of organic waste in the European Union and Ukraine.It has been established that in the EU, organic waste valorization is supported by regulations (notably Regulation EU 2019/1009), funding instruments (such as Horizon Europe and LIFE), and a high level of technological maturity. In Ukraine, while industrial processing (such as biogas plants) is developing actively, the infrastructure for managing household organic waste remains limited. The article analyzes current innovations in organic waste processing, evaluating their technological readiness and scalability potential. It focuses on both technological and regulatory dynamics.Key transformation pathways include composting, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, fermentation, algae cultivation, electrodialysis, and struvite crystallization. Strategic opportunities in organic waste valorization are discussed, along with recommendations for advancing circular bioeconomy principles in this domain. Ukraine has a high but underutilized potential. Integration into the European Green Deal, the development of public-private partnerships, standardization, and demonstration projects are identified as essential steps for an effective transition to sustainable organic resource management.
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