In Morocco, a bold transformation is unfolding in waste management and renewable energy. What began as a modest university initiative has evolved into a thriving ecosystem of scientific research, technological innovation, and community-driven development. These groundbreaking projects are redefining circular economy practices and sustainable development, positioning the country as a regional leader in environmental progress.
At the heart of this innovative momentum is a research team from the Department of Physics at the Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra, working within the Systems Electronics, Information Processing, Mechanics, and Energy (SETIME) Laboratory.
This project perfectly illustrates the university’s ability to mobilize scientific expertise in support of sustainable development. The team has led several pioneering initiatives focused on converting organic waste into energy and agricultural inputs, providing concrete solutions to Morocco’s ecological and economic challenges while embodying the university’s strong commitment to social impact.
By combining scientific rigor with community engagement, these projects go beyond academic boundaries to create lasting benefits for local populations. They reflect Ibn Tofail University’s ambition to play a leading role in the national ecological transition through applied research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
PPR2: University-Scale Anaerobic Digestion Prototype Paves the Way
The journey began with the PPR2 project, a collaboration among Morocco’s CNRST, Ibn Tofail University, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, and Hassan-1er University. With a budget of approximately 2.7 million dirhams, this project developed and implemented the country’s first university-scale anaerobic digester at Ibn Tofail University restaurant.
This pilot system efficiently converts organic food waste into biogas for renewable energy and biofertilizer for agriculture, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. Beyond its environmental benefits, PPR2 has served as a vital platform for applied research and education, engaging professors, doctoral candidates, and students in hands-on scientific inquiry. It established a replicable model for sustainable waste management in university settings and beyond, demonstrating how academic institutions can lead in environmental stewardship and innovation.
DIGESTEUR: Industrial-Scale Hybrid Digestion and Solar Energy Integration
Building on PPR2’s success, the DIGESTEUR project advanced the technology to an industrial scale, focusing on the treatment of organic effluents from Morocco’s paper and cardboard recycling sector. In partnership with IRESEN and supported by Ibn Tofail University’s biomass and biogas energy team, this initiative introduced Morocco’s first hybrid digester-solar system.
Combining Completely Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) and Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) digesters powered by photovoltaic panels, the system produces biogas that is converted into electricity via cogeneration. With a budget of 2 million dirhams, DIGESTEUR not only mitigates industrial pollution and reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also enriches scientific understanding of integrating anaerobic digestion with renewable solar energy. This project exemplifies cutting-edge research in hybrid renewable energy systems and offers scalable solutions for industrial waste valorization.
👉 For further details, please consult the project information sheet:
RenewValue: Sustainable Energy Solutions for Vulnerable Arid Communities
Addressing the energy challenges of remote and arid regions, the RenewValue project, coordinated by the University of Rostock (Germany) and involving Ibn Tofail University, has developed a closed-loop energy system tailored for vulnerable communities in Morocco and Tunisia. Funded with 550.000 dirhams, RenewValue combines solar power and bioenergy derived from organic waste streams household, agricultural, and small-scale industrial—to create reliable, clean energy sources.
A highlight of the project is the design of a novel digester coupled with a gasifier specifically adapted to process palm waste, abundant in Mediterranean semi-arid zones. This innovative hybrid system enhances local energy autonomy, reduces environmental degradation, and fosters socio-economic development. RenewValue also promotes interdisciplinary research and international collaboration, strengthening the scientific capacity to deploy sustainable energy solutions in challenging environments.
👉 For further details, please consult the project information sheet:
BIOWASTE4E: Capacity Building and International Scientific Collaboration
Recognizing that technological progress must be paired with human capital development, the BIOWASTE4E project, supported by Germany’s DAAD and conducted jointly by Ibn Tofail University and HTW Berlin, focuses on training and knowledge exchange in sustainable organic waste management and bioenergy.
With a budget of approximately €27.600, BIOWASTE4E organizes workshops and internships that bring together researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and students. The program covers key topics such as anaerobic digestion processes, biogas optimization, solar energy applications, and socio-economic feasibility studies. By fostering dialogue among stakeholders and building expertise, BIOWASTE4E strengthens the scientific ecosystem and supports the development of cooperative research projects that address Mediterranean waste and energy challenges.
👉 For further details, please consult the project information sheet:
BIOWASTE4E PROJECT
VALORMAC: Integrated Valorization of Olive Oil Industry Waste
The VALORMAC project, a joint research initiative between ICARE-CNRS in France and Ibn Tofail University, tackles the valorization of olive oil production residues through a combination of biochemical and thermochemical processes. With a €300.000 budget, VALORMAC investigates anaerobic digestion of the liquid margines fraction and thermal conversion (gasification and combustion) of the solid digestate and olive pomace.
This integrated approach aligns with circular economy principles, aiming for zero waste by producing biogas and syngas as biofuels for industrial or small community use. The project advances scientific understanding of biomass thermophysical properties, combustion emissions, and process optimization, while fostering Franco-Moroccan collaboration and training young researchers in renewable energy technologies. VALORMAC’s outcomes promise to enhance energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in a key Mediterranean agricultural sector.
👉 For further details, please consult the project information sheet:
Energy Recovery from Organic Waste through Methanization, Gasification, and Combustion (VLORMAC)
BIOTHEREP: Hybrid Biochemical and Thermochemical Conversion of Slaughterhouse Biowaste
The BIOTHEREP project addresses a critical environmental and energy challenge — the sustainable management of slaughterhouse biowaste. Coordinated by Mohammed VI Polytechnic University with Ibn Tofail University as a key partner, BIOTHEREP integrates biochemical (anaerobic digestion) and thermochemical (pyrolysis and gasification) processes to convert complex organic residues into renewable energy carriers.
This hybrid approach maximizes energy recovery by first producing biogas from biochemical digestion, then transforming the resulting solid digestate into biochar and syngas through pyrolysis and gasification. The biochar serves as a valuable precursor to enhance methane and hydrogen production and to capture CO₂, while syngas can be directly used for thermal energy generation. This closed-loop system not only reduces waste and greenhouse gas emissions but also offers local and regional alternatives to imported activated carbons and fossil fuels.
BIOTHEREP’s consortium spans eleven research institutions across Africa and Europe, including partners from Algeria, South Africa, Italy, Germany, and France, reflecting the project’s international scope and collaborative strength. With funding of approximately €685.000 from the French ANR and a 24-month timeline starting mid-2023, BIOTHEREP exemplifies how integrated biochemical and thermochemical technologies can drive circular economy solutions in challenging waste streams.
👉 For further details, please consult the project information sheet:
PyroBioFuel: Sustainable Biomass Conversion via Advanced Pyrolysis Technologies
Complementing BIOTHEREP’s hybrid approach, the PyroBioFuel project, coordinated by Professor El Bari himself, focuses on optimizing fast pyrolysis processes to convert diverse biomass residues such as date palm waste, cotton stalks, maize straw, and olive by-products into high-quality biofuels.
PyroBioFuel integrates innovative catalytic microreactors combining Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and hydrocracking to refine pyrolysis products into sustainable liquid fuels. The project encompasses five interconnected work packages, leveraging advanced digital modeling and process control tools to ensure consistent product quality and scalable modular technology.
Funded by Morocco’s Ministry of Higher Education and Innovation, PyroBioFuel also emphasizes social impact, promoting women-led small enterprises and rural job creation. Its modular, decentralized design is particularly suited for off-grid rural areas, supporting energy access and economic empowerment in underserved communities.
👉 For further details, please consult the project information sheet:
Sustainable biomass conversion into bioenergy through pyrolysis (PyroBioFuel)
SAFOOD4MED: Innovative Antimicrobial Bioplastics from Food Waste
The SAFOOD4MED project (2024-2027), coordinated by the University of Perugia and involving Ibn Tofail University, represents a groundbreaking effort to transform food waste into antimicrobial, biodegradable bioplastics for food packaging. Funded under the PRIMA program, this initiative develops an accessible biorefinery model empowering smallholders to convert food waste into high-value packaging materials.
SAFOOD4MED integrates digital technologies to optimize the agri-food waste value chain, advancing circularity by reducing food loss and plastic pollution. The antimicrobial properties of the bioplastics offer innovative solutions for food preservation, addressing critical challenges in the Mediterranean food system. This project exemplifies the fusion of biotechnology, digital innovation, and sustainability to create novel materials with broad environmental and economic impact.
👉 For further details, please consult the project information sheet:
Together, these projects form a vibrant ecosystem where scientific research, higher education, and community needs converge to address pressing environmental and energy challenges. Ibn Tofail University has emerged as a central hub, fostering international partnerships, advancing renewable energy research, and training a new generation of experts in sustainable technologies.
The scientific contributions span bioprocess engineering, hybrid renewable energy systems, biomass characterization, and innovative material development. Socially, these initiatives provide vulnerable communities with clean energy access, reduce pollution, and create economic opportunities. Environmentally, they exemplify circular economy principles by transforming waste into resources, significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
This Moroccan experience offers a replicable model for the Mediterranean region and beyond, demonstrating that the energy of tomorrow can indeed come from the waste of today. It highlights the power of integrated, collaborative innovation to build resilient, sustainable futures grounded in local realities and global scientific excellence.