The living lab opened with introductory remarks from KIMITEC, followed by a presentation of the CARINA project by Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de España. The project was introduced as a collaborative initiative involving 19 partners from 13 countries, structured around agronomic trials, bio-based product development, sustainability assessment, policy recommendations and stakeholder engagement. Its overarching objective is to improve the economic and environmental stability of farmers by supporting diversification towards emerging oilseed crops and higher value-added bio-based applications.

Throughout the morning, researchers and technical experts presented agronomic results on camelina and carinata cultivation across different Spanish regions. Camelina Company shared data from camelina trials under double cropping systems and on marginal land, highlighting the crop’s compatibility with crop rotation schemes and its potential to contribute to emission reductions. Nufarm presented experiences with carinata cultivation, underlining favourable performance in warmer areas as well as challenges linked to sustainability certification.

Representatives from cooperatives in Castilla y León, Andalucía, Aragón, Castilla-La Mancha and Catalonia shared practical field experiences, covering a wide range of conditions from irrigated systems to cold dryland environments. These contributions provided valuable insight into farmers’ perceptions of crop management, profitability and integration within CAP eco-schemes, helping to inform future diversification strategies at cooperative level.

A central session focused on the development of new bioproducts derived from camelina and carinata. KIMITEC presented progress on bio-based biostimulants, bioherbicides and biopesticides developed within the CARINA project, based on compounds such as glucosinolates and plant proteins. The results demonstrated promising potential for pest control and yield improvement in horticultural crops, highlighting how alternative oilseeds can support circular bioeconomy pathways beyond primary production.

Regulatory and certification aspects were addressed by the presentation on Sustainable Biomaterials, with an overview of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), requirements for intermediate crops and perspectives on carbon certification. An interactive survey session led by Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de España highlighted administrative complexity and market uncertainty as key barriers, while also identifying sustainability benefits and new income opportunities as major drivers for adoption.